Discussion topics at the Astana International Forum were outlined by the attending experts.
Fresh Take on the Astana International Forum (AIF): A Kazakhstan-Hosted Global Dialogue
The Astana International Forum (AIF), held annually in the capital of Kazakhstan, serves as a platform for international dialogue and tackling global issues. Recently, the forum has expanded its focus to encompass topics such as climate change, geopolitics, and energy security.
This year, the forum centered around four main themes: foreign policy and security, international development and sustainability, energy and climate, and economy and finance.
Regional Interconnection and Growth
During a panel session dedicated to regional development, Shamshad Ahmad, a renowned economist and diplomat, discussed Kazakhstan's role in strengthening cooperation, investment growth, digitalization, and connectivity in the energy sector.
According to Ahmad, regional cooperation has positively influenced trade and global integration. She pointed out the growth in direct investments in the region, noting that Asia ranks second after the European Union and UK in terms of trade and investment volume. She also emphasized that the integration of regional supply chains is happening rapidly due to digitalization, which makes supply chains more resilient.
Energy Potential of Kazakhstan
At a panel session focused on energy security, experts spoke about the importance of oil and gas, despite the growth of renewable energy. Vice President of ExxonMobil for Traditional and Heavy Oil, Peter Larden, mentioned that by 2050, the world's population will reach 10 billion, and electricity demand will increase by 15%. Despite the growth of renewable energy, oil and gas will maintain more than half of the energy balance. Larden noted that Kazakhstan's strategic location between Europe and Asia will make it a crucial player in the process.
Vice President of S&P Global, Matthew J. Sagers, highlighted two trends in Kazakhstan. The first is a worrying decrease in the share of fixed capital, raising questions about the future of the oil industry. However, Sagers noted that total investments in Kazakhstan have reached $41 billion, with $2.2 billion in energy, and expressed confidence in the country's successes in developing the processing industry over the next 20 years.
Kazakhstan is shifting its development focus toward deeper processing and the development of high-value-added industries. Despite challenges such as the international market's influence on oil prices and the affluence of energy resources, Kazakhstan has demonstrated stable and responsible development over the past 30 years and is expected to show even better results in the next 20 years.
Climate Change and Water Resources
Climate change was a primary concern discussed during a panel session on the future of global influence. Peter Francopan, a professor of World History at Oxford University's Worcester College, noted that Central Asia is experiencing a faster rate of water resource management and that people are not currently migrating due to climate change and water scarcity.
In light of growing water resource challenges due to a rapidly changing climate, deputy prime minister Kanat Bozumbayev outlined key directions of state water policy for Kazakhstan. These include modernizing water infrastructure, increasing the efficiency of water resource use, digitizing the water sector, improving the normative-legal framework, and strengthening international cooperation.
Green Energy Investments
Investments in renewable energy projects were discussed by Abdullah Zaid, a representative of Masdar, who stated that there is significant potential for renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan. Masdar has been working in Kazakhstan since 2017 and recently signed a project agreement with "Samruk-Kazyna" to provide 500 megawatts of energy throughout the year.
In conclusion, the Astana International Forum addresses pressing international issues through dialogue and cooperation. This year's themes included regional growth, energy potential, climate change, and green energy initiatives. Kazakhstan's strategic position and resources give it the opportunity to become a key player in various sectors if it can create stable conditions for investors.
- The Astana International Forum (AIF) expanded its focus to include topics like climate change, with experts discussing the importance of oil and gas, despite the growth of renewable energy, particularly in relation to Kazakhstan's strategic location.
- During a panel session on regional development, Shamshad Ahmad highlighted the growth in direct investments in the region, suggesting that the integration of regional supply chains is happening rapidly due to digitalization.
- Climate change was a primary concern during the forum, with Peter Francopan noting that Central Asia is experiencing a faster rate of water resource management, and deputy prime minister Kanat Bozumbayev outlining key directions of state water policy for Kazakhstan to modernize water infrastructure and improve water resource use.
- Investments in renewable energy projects were a key topic, with Abdullah Zaid stating that there is significant potential for renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan, as evidenced by Masdar's recent project agreement with "Samruk-Kazyna" to provide 500 megawatts of energy throughout the year.
