Kazakhstan and Slovenia are moving toward closer cooperation at the city level. The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Slovenia, Altay Abibullayev, held talks with the leadership of the Ljubljana city administration, focusing on the development of bilateral ties at municipal and regional levels, DKNews.kz reports.
A key proposal put forward by the Kazakh side was to establish sister city relations between the capitals - Astana and Ljubljana. Such a partnership is seen as a practical platform for exchanging experience in urban management, launching joint projects, and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Slovenian side showed strong interest in the rapid development of Astana, noting the capital’s position in the Oxford Economics 2025 ranking. Particular attention was paid to the priorities set by the President of Kazakhstan on December 24, 2025, for the country’s capital, as well as to the implementation of the Astana Smart City initiative, which is becoming a key element of the city’s modern identity.
During the meeting, the parties placed special emphasis on exchanging best practices in urban planning and municipal development. Topics included city communications, environmental protection, public safety, traffic management, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in urban infrastructure. The discussion also covered attracting foreign tourists and investments, which both capitals see as an important driver of sustainable growth.
The cultural agenda was another important part of the talks. As Kazakhstan and Slovenia prepare to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the sides discussed initiatives to hold joint cultural events, including Days of Kazakhstan in Ljubljana. These activities are expected to further strengthen long-term partnership and friendship between the two states and their capitals.
Observers note that cooperation between cities is gaining increasing importance globally. In a competitive environment for investments, technologies, and talent, direct ties between capitals such as Astana and Ljubljana could open new opportunities and deliver tangible results for both sides.
