Kazakhstan in the AI Era: Ambassador in Tehran Unveils Tokayev's Priorities for Digital and Economic Transformation
Tehran - Hamid Dehghan, International Desk Editor at "AsiaNews Iran", attended a press conference this morning (September 15, 2025) hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Tehran, with participation from prominent Iranian media outlets. Ontalab Onalbayev, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Iran, discussed the annual message from Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, to the people of Kazakhstan. This message, delivered on September 8, 2025 (corresponding to Shahrivar 17, 1404 in the Iranian calendar) and titled "Kazakhstan in the AI Era: Current Challenges and Solutions Through Digital Transformation," provides a comprehensive roadmap for Kazakhstan's development amid global challenges.
Tokayev, as per official sources from the Kazakh Presidency (Akorda), emphasized the need to transform Kazakhstan into a "fully digital nation" within three years, positioning artificial intelligence (AI) as the core driver of economic and social advancements. He stated: "This is a strategic goal: to turn Kazakhstan into a fully digital nation in three years." This approach involves establishing a new Ministry for AI and Digital Development under a Deputy Prime Minister and drafting a conceptual document titled "Digital Kazakhstan."
Key Priorities for Kazakhstan in the AI Era
Ambassador Onalbayev, referencing the full text of Tokayev's message, outlined 15 primary priorities for Kazakhstan's development programs, all grounded in AI and digital transformation. These priorities include:
- Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence : Accelerating the digital code and integrating AI across all sectors to create a unified digital ecosystem.
- Investment Policy and Economic Modernization: Launching a new investment cycle focused on manufacturing and high-tech industries, allocating National Fund resources for innovative projects. Tokayev noted: "Despite global competition for capital, Kazakhstan must attract large-scale investments."
- Transportation Corridors and Transit: Developing North-South, East-West, and Trans-Caspian routes with digital solutions, including completing the Dostyk-Moyinty railway and launching "Smart Cargo" by October.
- Balanced Foreign Policy and UN Reforms: Maintaining equilibrium in relations with global powers like China, Russia, and the US, while proposing Security Council reforms at the UN.
- Parliamentary Reforms: Suggesting a single-chamber parliament elected from party lists, with public discussions and a referendum in 2027.
- Energy Transition: Leveraging energy transition for sustainable development, installing 6.3 GW of renewable energy in five years.
- Nuclear Power Plant and Coal Construction: Starting construction of the first nuclear power plant in collaboration with Rosatom, planning for second and third plants, and utilizing coal reserves with clean technologies. Tokayev said: "Nuclear energy development is a strategic priority."
- Establishing Alatau City as a Trade and Innovation Center: Developing Alatau as the region's first fully digital city with special legal status, smart city technologies, and cryptocurrency payments. Presidential directives for this project will be issued within the next 10 days.
- Diversification of Production and Industry: Accelerating economic diversification with emphasis on high-value-added industries and deep resource processing, including launching three high-tech plants in mining and metallurgy.
- Modernization of Exploration Data: Upgrading geological explorations with digital tools and AI, establishing a certified laboratory by mid-2026, and digitizing mineral data.
- Agriculture and Food Security: Enhancing food security through innovative technologies and AI in farming.
- Tourism Reforms: Modernizing the tourism sector to attract more investments and tourists.
- Water Security and Environmental Protection: Managing water resources and environmental conservation with digital approaches.
- Education and Artificial Intelligence: Integrating AI into educational programs to train a digital workforce.
- Healthcare Modernization: Upgrading the healthcare system with AI and big data technologies.
- Rule of Law, Civic Culture, and National Unity: Strengthening the rule of law and national unity as foundations for sustainable development.
These priorities, based on reviews of official Kazakh sources such as the Akorda website and recent reports from Astana Times, demonstrate Kazakhstan's commitment to regional leadership in the AI era. At the end of the conference, Ambassador Onalbayev emphasized strengthening Iran-Kazakhstan ties in digital and transit sectors and invited Iranian media for further collaboration.
AsiaNews Iran, as a specialized outlet on Central Asian affairs, continues to monitor these developments. For more on Kazakhstan and AI, follow our related articles.