Central Asian President Tokayev outlines crucial aspects for strengthening ties with Italy at historic summit meeting

Jumpstarting Collaboration: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Sets Agenda for Central Asia-Italy Partnerships

ASTANA – Stepping onto the global stage, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined his vision for a revitalized partnership with Italy at the inaugural Central Asia+Italy summit on May 30.

Tokayev, ready to seize the opportunities arising from global tariff conflicts, proposed a series of collaborative ventures including joint projects, expanded product lines, and a staggering $1 billion increase in exports to Italy. He emphasized the enormous potential for agricultural exports from Central Asia to Europe and the need for trading houses and logistics centers, with aspirations for an Italian trading house in Almaty.

Environmental protection, sustainability, and combatting climate change were other hot topics for Tokayev. Grateful for Italy's support, he recognized the importance of addressing the region's urgent environmental problems, particularly the restoration of the Aral Sea basin.

Tokayev further emphasized the critical task of strengthening transcontinental connectivity, with Central Asian countries revitalizing the ancient Silk Road by developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

The energy sector garnered significant attention, as Kazakhstan remains a key oil exporter to the European Union (EU). Last year alone, Kazakhstan exported over 30 million tons of oil to the Italian market, representing a 27% increase from the previous year. Tokayev, a steadfast supporter of a low-carbon economy, was keen to express appreciation for Italy's involvement in joint renewable energy projects across the country.

Innovation and industrial cooperation were on the agenda, as Tokayev suggested establishing a regional research center to investigate rare earth metal deposits in Central Asia. He also highlighted the assembly of Italian agricultural machinery and the construction of sulfuric acid and gas processing plants with Italian firms.

Regarding education and culture, Tokayev encouraged Italian technical universities to establish branches in Kazakhstan, with plans for a series of joint events in 2026 under the banner of the Year of Cultural Rapprochement between Central Asia and Italy.

Tokayev, confident in the success of these proposals, expressed optimism that they'd be included in the summit's joint declaration. The event also featured speeches from Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni and heads of state from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Meloni, having addressed the Astana International Forum earlier in the day, voiced her support for Central Asian states' aspirations to strengthen regional cooperation. The leaders eagerly welcomed the proposed Kyrgyz Republic summit in 2027 and the fourth foreign ministers' conference in Italy in the spring of 2026.

Recent discussions at the Kazakhstan-Italy supply chain forum in Astana suggest that potential partnerships valued at over $8 billion could be formed across strategic sectors such as energy, agriculture, logistics, and technology[1]. These discussions underscore the escalating strategic ties between Kazakhstan and Italy, with a focus on economic growth and cooperation.

Insights:

In the energy sector, the emphasis is on expanding oil and gas exports and renewable energy cooperation.
Central Asian agricultural countries, including Kazakhstan, aim to increase exports to Europe by diversifying trade and focusing on non-raw materials with higher value-added.
Logistics improvements are being sought through projects like the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the establishment of trading houses.
Technological partnerships are anticipated with a focus on industrial cooperation and technology exchange.

[1] https://www.aksamalia.kz/ru/news/18363-summit-central-asia-italiya-nachalil-v-aktorane-so-11-stran-dlya-istroekhaniya-30-milionov-ton-nefti-v-italii.html[2] https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/turetskie-srednevostochnye-strany-s-italiyoy-prokhodit-peregovoryi-o-stabilirovanii-trudovyh-migratsiy-v-es/[5] https://www.citac.kz/2023/05/20/kazakhstan-energy-italy/

In his vision for a revitalized partnership with Italy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the potential for collaborative ventures not only in the energy sector with a focus on expanding oil and gas exports, but also in renewable energy projects.
Tokayev's proposals for a regional research center to investigate rare earth metal deposits in Central Asia underscores his focus on technology exchange and industrial cooperation.
In the political sphere, both Tokayev and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for strengthening regional policy-and-legislation, evidenced by their aspirations for subsequent summits in Kyrgyzstan and Italy, as well as foreign ministers' conferences.