International Cooperation in Eurasian Networking: Key Figures Plan Avenues for Progress at AIF Conference
Global Experts Discuss Strategies to Boost Regional Connectivity at Astana International Forum 2025
Astana, Kazakhstan — Key international figures, including Ban Ki-moon, the former United Nations Secretary-General, and Shamshad Akhtar, a member of the Boao Forum for Asia's Council of Advisors, gathered at the Astana International Forum 2025 to confront the challenge of enhancing regional connectivity and unlocking development potential.
In his opening remarks, Ban Ki-moon acknowledged Kazakhstan's expanding role in regional connectivity and placed emphasis on the importance of integration in an increasingly divided global economy. He spoke of Kazakhstan's transformation into a vital transit hub,enabled by robust connectivity, and the opportunities offered by the Middle Corridor, the North-South Corridor, the Trans-Caspian transportation network, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ban underscored the urgency of international cooperation and stressed that connectivity and supply chain stability are vital for nations to achieve their development goals. He also emphasized the role of forums like the World Forum for Asia and the Astana International Forum in fostering consensus, trust, and collaboration to build a shared vision for the future.
Shamshad Akhtar highlighted Asia's leadership in regional connectivity and economic dynamism. She pointed out that Asia's preference trade agreements (PTAs) had mushroomed from just four in 1990 to 77 in 2023. Despite these achievements, Akhtar identified challenges such as overlapping PTAs, limited market access, and subdued foreign direct investment flows.
In response, Akhtar suggested that future PTAs should focus on new sectors and prospective markets for export diversification. She also emphasized the importance of regional value chain integration, digital transformation, energy connectivity, and green investment, particularly in Kazakhstan, a regional leader in clean technology.
Asia, the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, needs to step up its collaboration on climate action and finance, according to Akhtar. It estimates that addressing climate change will require $1.1 trillion annually.
Fabrizia Lapecorella, the deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), shared insights on upcoming projects and trends in infrastructure development for the Trans-Caspian transport route. She noted growing traffic, investment in rail and port infrastructure, and improved trade facilitation, particularly in Kazakhstan.
Lapecorella highlighted the importance of addressing environmental concerns and institutional challenges, including the need for cleaner transportation policies and the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies. She also mentioned ongoing concerns within the private sector regarding corruption, transit permits, and visa issues, as well as the need to reform state-owned enterprises.
Volkan Bozkır, the president of the 75th UN General Assembly, underscored the importance of breaking down barriers and building bridges in an interconnected world. He proposed four pillars for regional connectivity encompassing infrastructure integration, trade and investment, people-centered development, and sustainability.
Bozkır emphasized the need for relaxed visa policies and harmonized regulations, citing examples such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Connectivity Master Plan and the EU's Trans-European Networks. His call to action encouraged countries to leverage connectivity for growth, innovation, and collective progress.
Piao Yangfan, the deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), highlighted the SCO's evolution into a trans-regional organization spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. By fostering cooperation through legal harmonization, transport infrastructure, logistics hubs, and customs, Yangfan underscored the SCO's commitment to regional socio-economic integration.
Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov spoke on the country's ambitious transport modernization agenda, positioning the Middle Corridor as a crucial artery for Eurasian logistics. In 2024, cargo volume transported via the Middle Corridor grew by 60% compared to 2023, according to Kuantyrov, with a goal of reaching 10 million tons in the near future.
The Middle Corridor is further supported by Kazakhstan's $35 billion investment in transport infrastructure between 2023 and 2027. Key projects include the development of new railway lines, port expansions, and dry port development, with partnerships among international players. Overall, the country aims to transition its Caspian segment of the corridor from a simple transit point to a strategic logistics hub, connecting Central Asia to global markets.
Feng Yanqiu, the managing director of the Silk Road Fund (SRF), presented insights into how investment can deepen connectivity and promote sustainability. Offering a portfolio of $25.8 billion across 70 countries, the fund invests in large-scale infrastructure projects, community-focused initiatives in healthcare, education, and digitalization, and sustainable development projects.
Through comprehensive investment, the fund aims to strengthen the economic foundations of countries and regions along the Silk Road routes, driving industrialization, supply chain stability, and sustainable development. The SRF also incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, with a sustainable investment portfolio of $2.6 billion, including $1.5 billion in green assets.
- Ban Ki-moon, emphasizing Kazakhstan's role in regional connectivity, spoke of the opportunities presented by the Middle Corridor, North-South Corridor, and Belt and Road Initiative, all aimed at enhancing connectivity.
- Shamshad Akhtar, examining Asia's economic dynamism, identified challenges in regional connectivity such as overlapping preferential trade agreements, limited market access, and subdued foreign direct investment flows.
- Fabrizia Lapecorella discussed ongoing projects in infrastructure development for the Trans-Caspian transport route, highlighting the need for addressing environmental concerns and institutional challenges.
- Volkan Bozkır proposed four pillars for regional connectivity encompassing infrastructure integration, trade and investment, people-centered development, and sustainability, emphasizing the need for relaxed visa policies and harmonized regulations.
- Piao Yangfan underscored the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's commitment to regional socio-economic integration, fostering cooperation through legal harmonization, transport infrastructure, logistics hubs, and customs.
- Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov spoke about the country's strategic logistics hub goal for the Caspian segment of the Middle Corridor, investing $35 billion in transport infrastructure to reach this objective.
- Feng Yanqiu presented insights into the Silk Road Fund's comprehensive investment strategy, offering a portfolio focused on industrialization, supply chain stability, and sustainable development, incorporating environmental, social, and governance principles.
- In the realm of education and self-development, forums like the Astana International Forum contribute to learning and policy-making, facilitating discussions on key global issues such as regional connectivity.
- General news outlets cover the Astana International Forum extensively, reporting on the regional connectivity strategies discussed, and their potential impact on business, finance, real estate, technology, travel, and sports industries, including European leagues and football, such as the Premier League.
