This week in Astana, Kazakhstan’s political spotlight turned global as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted a landmark visit from Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and numerous world leaders for the Astana International Forum (AIF). President Kagame’s visit, his first official one, followed up on an invitation extended during COP29 in Baku and centered on strengthening trade and investment ties, particularly in education, critical minerals, agriculture, and digital industries. Concurrently, Kazakhstan and Italy deepened their strategic partnership through high-level talks and new agreements, including the launch of an Italian university branch in Kazakhstan and major energy sector collaborations worth $6 billion. The AIF itself served as a global platform for dialogue on pressing challenges, with contributions from UN and European Council leaders, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s role as a bridge between regions and a committed actor in multilateral cooperation.
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