Throughout the year, the Astana Open Dialogue platform focused its efforts on advancing expert-driven analytics, conducting thematic surveys, and strengthening international dialogue. Its research and discussion activities contributed to debates on key areas of economic development, and technological transformation.
Expert Surveys
Over the course of the year, Astana Open Dialogue conducted a series of large-scale expert surveys, collecting more than 240 expert assessments,along with practical recommendations on pressing development issues.
Key topics included:
“Prospects and Barriers to Integration in Central Asia”
“Kazakhstan’s Readiness for the Transition to Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization”
“Trump’s Tariff Wars: How They Will Affect The Global Economy And The Economy Of Kazakhstan”
The findings formed the basis for analytical conclusions and served as a tool for developing applied policy recommendations.
Analytical Publications of the Year
In 2025, a number of analytical publications were prepared and released, focusing on international cooperation and sustainable development:
“EU-Kazakhstan cooperation: a strong and enduring partnership”
“Kazakhstan and Italy, a long term profitable cooperation”
“Recommendations for Enhancing Cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia”
Astana Open Dialogue Bulletin №2 — a structured analytical report covering three key areas:
Tax Policy — the draft of the new Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, tax burden, and tax administration
Economic Growth – new growth drivers, economic diversification, and human capital development
Identity and Society – balance between ethnic and civic identity, the role of the state, and social justice
Expert Dialogue: The Key Event of the Year
The central event of the year was the 3rd Astana Open Dialogue meeting, held under the theme: “Kazakhstan on the Path from e-Gov to AI-Gov: How to Make a Breakthrough?”
The event brought together more than 700 participants and 13 speakers, and was held in the format of two panel sessions.
The discussion brought together ministers, Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, ambassadors of foreign states, representatives of international organizations, members of the Presidential Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, as well as leading scholars and rectors of top universities in Kazakhstan.
International Context
Astana Open Dialogue consistently develops international expert engagement, cooperating with diplomatic missions of Georgia, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, Israel, and France, as well as with the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, among others.
An important highlight of the year was AOD’s participation in the Central Asia Think Tanks Forum in Tashkent, as well as a discussion with PACE rapporteur Zsolt Németh on issues related to economic development and expert cooperation.
Results of the year
This year, Astana Open Dialogue focused on analytical work, expert surveys, and strengthening international dialogue. Research, publications, the Bulletin, and expert discussions formed a solid foundation for debates on the future of public policy, the economy, and technology.
We thank all experts and partners for their trust and cooperation.