Foreign Diplomats Briefed on Key Provisions of the Head of State’s Address

Astana, 9 November 2026 - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a briefing for heads of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations on State of the Nation Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev “Kazakhstan’s Current Priorities in a New Historical Cycle”. Around 100 representatives of the diplomatic corps attended. The speakers were Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev, and Vice Minister of Transport Damir Kozhakhmetov.

Opening the meeting, M.Tileuberdi noted that the President’s Address, delivered in the 35th year of Independence, sums up the path travelled and sets out a long-term strategy for the country’s development. He stressed that in an era of global turbulence, Kazakhstan’s foreign policy maintains continuity and rests on constructive dialogue, adherence to international obligations, and calibrated pragmatism. Foreign direct investment inflows grew by 14.4% in 2025, reaching $20.5 billion. “President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s large-scale reforms are our sincere and open invitation to your countries, business communities, and investors to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said.

The Foreign Minister recalled that about 6.5 trillion tenge from the National Fund will be allocated to infrastructure modernization through the end of 2029, and that it has been proposed to declare 2027 the Year of the “Nationwide Large-Scale Construction”. Kazakhstan offers its partners a multi-year planning horizon, access to large-scale contracts, and institutional protection of investments. The minister named energy, agro-industry, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and the water agenda among the priority areas of cooperation. He elaborated on legal guarantees for investors: an Investment Court based on English common law will be established in Alatau city, and a new Civil Code is planned for adoption by the end of 2027. The minister added that Kazakhstan’s missions abroad have received clear instructions to provide individual support for every significant investment project.

Minister of Industry and Construction Y.Nagaspayev said that the “Nationwide Large-Scale Construction” program is intendedto give additional momentum to domestic industry and attract investment. According to him, under the course set by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the share of manufacturing in GDP has reached 13% and surpassed that of the mining sector, and 647 projects have been implemented in the country since 2023. He named mechanical engineering, metallurgy, the chemical industry, and electrical engineering as the most promising areas, noting that investors are offered tax and customs preferences, land plots with infrastructure, and “One-stop shop” support. “Our goal is not simply to attract investment, but to build long-term industrial partnerships based on technology transfer, localization of production, deep processing of raw materials, workforce training, and the output of competitive products”, the minister said.

Vice Minister of Transport D.Kozhakhmetov spoke about the tasks the Head of State’s Address sets for the sector: Kazakhstan must become a leading logistics hub of Eurasia and move from the role of a transit territory to that of an organizer of international cargo flows. According to him, about 85% of overland freight between China and Europe already passes through the country, and last year transit grew by 18% to 39.1 million tons. Among upcoming projects, he named the Bakhty-Ayagoz railway line, the Aral-Caspian transport corridor, the modernization of all 37 road border crossings on the borders with Russia and Kyrgyzstan, and the construction of a new airport in Astana. Mr. D.Kozhakhmetov placed particular emphasis on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and invited foreign partners to invest in ports, airports, and logistics centers. “Kazakhstan is moving from the status of a landlocked country to that of a country that connects continents”, he said.

During the Q&A session, heads of diplomatic missions showed particular interest in Kazakhstan’s investment climate, investment protection guarantees, terms of participation in projects, the development of transport corridors, and cooperation in critical minerals. The speakers gave detailed answers and expressed readiness for continued dialogue. In summing up, it was noted that Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions abroad will provide comprehensive support to companies interested in establishing modern production facilities and transferring technologies, and that Kazakhstan remains open to long-term investment partnership.