Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev met with Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Peter Larden, but the discussion went far beyond diplomatic formalities. Behind the official statements was a broader conversation about long-term investment, energy stability, and Kazakhstan’s position in a rapidly changing global energy landscape, DKNews.kz reports.
At a time when competition for major investors is intensifying worldwide, such meetings signal how seriously a country treats its strategic partners.
What was discussed
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed ExxonMobil’s current operations in Kazakhstan, with a focus on the company’s participation in key energy projects. They also explored ways to further expand investment cooperation and strengthen mutually beneficial economic ties.
For Kazakhstan, this is not just about maintaining existing projects, but about ensuring their sustainability and long-term impact on the national economy.
Kazakhstan’s message: ExxonMobil is a strategic partner
Minister Kosherbayev emphasized ExxonMobil’s role as one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in the oil and gas sector. He highlighted the company’s contribution to the implementation of strategically important projects, its role in maintaining energy market stability, and its active participation in the work of the Foreign Investors’ Council under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This council plays a crucial role as a platform for dialogue between the government and major international investors, helping to address systemic issues and improve the overall investment climate.
ExxonMobil’s view: confidence in Kazakhstan
Peter Larden, in turn, highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve its investment climate and create favorable conditions for foreign investors. He noted the country’s consistent approach to cooperation and expressed ExxonMobil’s readiness to continue long-term engagement.
According to the company, sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s energy sector is possible only through close and predictable cooperation between the state and major international partners.
A partnership built over decades
ExxonMobil has been operating in Kazakhstan since 1993 and remains one of the largest foreign investors in the country’s oil and gas sector. Over the years, the company has become deeply involved in projects that define Kazakhstan’s energy profile.
These include Tengiz, Kashagan and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium - projects that cover the full cycle from exploration and production to the transportation of hydrocarbons. Their scale and complexity make long-term investor commitment especially important.
Why this meeting matters
In an era of global energy transition and geopolitical uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s ability to retain and develop partnerships with major international players sends an important signal to global markets.
Meetings like this reaffirm Kazakhstan’s openness to investment, its focus on stability, and its intention to remain a reliable energy partner. While they may appear routine, such talks often shape decisions that influence the country’s economic trajectory for years ahead.
