Speaking at the Astana International Forum, Mr. Runde praised Kazakhstan’s rapid development and growing role on the world stage, highlighting the forum's power in connecting global voices. Emphasizing trade as a strategic tool, he called for the U.S. to finally remove outdated Cold War-era policies. Advocating for a deeper U.S. - Kazakhstan partnership, particularly under a potential second Trump administration, he proposed greater cooperation in mineral processing, food security, AI, and regional infrastructure. He urged Kazakhstan to take the initiative with a strong offer to the U.S., and envisioned a future where the country becomes a member of the OECD, transforming from a middle power into a global economic and technological player.

