Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development began in 2008 under the OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Programme (ECP), which covers 13 countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe. The ECP is aimed at supporting policy development to improve the business climate based on OECD standards and instruments.
Between 2015 and 2021, Kazakhstan implemented two phases of the Country Programme, one of the OECD’s principal formats of cooperation with partner countries. As a result of this joint work, a number of international standards were incorporated into national legislation following sectoral reviews in areas such as public governance, competition policy, and other fields.
The main framework documents governing cooperation at present are the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the OECD, valid through 2026 (the Memorandum), and the 2022–2025 Action Plan, which identifies priority areas of cooperation aimed at implementing OECD standards.
For reference: These documents were signed on 30 November 2022 during a meeting between Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Mathias Cormann.
A draft Action Plan for 2027–2030 has been prepared and is currently under discussion, along with the extension of the above-mentioned Memorandum. Both documents are expected to be adopted during the current year.
Since 2008, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union have served as co-chairs of the OECD Central Asia Initiative (CAI).
In May 2025, on the margins of the Astana International Forum, the Government of Kazakhstan and the OECD signed an official agreement extending the financing of the Eurasia Competitiveness Programme for 2025–2027, providing for annual voluntary contributions of EUR 200,000.
Kazakhstan participates in a number of OECD regional initiatives, including the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan, the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches (IFCMA), the GREEN Action Task Force, the Sustainable Infrastructure Programme in Asia (SIPA), and others.
High-Level Political Contacts
In November 2022, Secretary-General Mathias Cormann met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In October 2023, he met with Yerzhan Kazykhan. In January 2024, he met with Alibek Kuantyrov. On 28 March 2024, in Boao, President Tokayev again met with Mathias Cormann.
Among recent high-level contacts, in March 2025 Serik Zhumangarin met with William Tompson.
Advisory and Coordinating Bodies in Kazakhstan
The Council for Cooperation with the OECD, chaired by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, operates on a permanent basis. The most recent meeting of the Council was held on 27 April 2022.
Overall coordination of cooperation with the OECD at the national level is carried out by the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, specifically through its Department of International Economic Cooperation. The working body is the Economic Research Institute JSC under the Ministry of National Economy, which provides analytical and informational support to both government agencies and the OECD. Organizational and analytical support in Paris is provided by the Permanent Representation of Kazakhstan to International Organizations, where the Ministry of National Economy maintains staff positions.
To strengthen engagement with the OECD, an Interagency Working Group on Cooperation with the OECD was established by decision of the Council and operates under the co-chairmanship of the Assistant to the President and the Minister of National Economy.
Since 2019, work has been carried out under a Roadmap for implementing OECD recommendations and legal instruments.
In 2023, an internal Action Plan for the implementation of the Cooperation Programme with the OECD through 2025 was approved. The Programme sets out key areas of cooperation and defines the role of each government agency, including the “Focal Point” and “Task Force” mechanisms.
In 2026, this Programme is expected to be updated and further developed, with a focus on strengthening coordination mechanisms and enhancing the institutional capacity of civil servants to support the continued development of cooperation between the OECD and Kazakhstan.
Current Status of Cooperation
To date, Kazakhstan has adhered to 43 OECD legal instruments, including 26 Recommendations, 10 Declarations, 3 Conventions, and 4 other legal instruments.
Kazakhstan also participates in 39 OECD bodies, including:
* 18 committees and working bodies as an invited participant;
* 11 committees and working bodies as a participant;
* 2 committees as an associate member; and
* 8 structures as a partner.
Initiative to Establish an OECD Office in Astana
This initiative was first proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his meeting with Secretary-General Mathias Cormann on 30 November 2022.
At a meeting of the Interagency Working Group on 17 August 2023, the proposed thematic focus of the Office was approved as Transport Connectivity. Subsequently, the focus was expanded to Trade and Transport Connectivity.
In June 2024, the draft Concept for the Office was submitted to the OECD Secretariat. Following the adoption in 2025 of new principles governing the establishment of offices outside OECD headquarters, the proposal remains under additional consideration.
Planned Visit of OECD Secretary-General to Kazakhstan
Following President Tokayev’s meeting with Mathias Cormann in Boao in March 2024 and the October 2023 meeting with Assistant to the President Yerzhan Kazykhan, the OECD Secretary-General expressed his intention to visit Kazakhstan.
In a letter dated 31 March 2025, Mathias Cormann confirmed his participation in the Astana International Forum on 29–30 May 2025; however, the visit was subsequently cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
In September 2025, an invitation was extended to participate in the Regional Ecological Summit, scheduled for 22–23 April 2026 in Astana. Participation was confirmed by Fabrizia Lapecorella.
Regional Ecological Summit 2026
In coordination with the OECD Secretariat, a partnership arrangement was developed to enable the use of the OECD logo within the framework of the Regional Ecological Summit to be held in Astana in 2026.