Kazakhstan and Belgium have agreed to deepen cooperation across 19 areas. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Philippe of the Belgians outlined their shared priorities in a joint statement published by Akorda on October 12, 2026, covering critical minerals, investment, artificial intelligence, transport, education and international security, DKNews.kz reports.
The statement followed high-level talks during the first state visit by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Kazakhstan, taking place from October 11 to 14.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding practical cooperation between their countries.
What did Kazakhstan and Belgium agree on?
The 19-point statement sets out a broad agenda for economic, technological, scientific and diplomatic cooperation.
Tokayev and King Philippe welcomed the development of bilateral relations based on mutual trust and respect. They also confirmed their readiness to continue working within the framework of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union, signed on December 21, 2015.
The main priorities include:
- trade, investment and business cooperation;
- critical minerals, petrochemicals and mechanical engineering;
- transport, logistics and renewable energy;
- artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure;
- agriculture, education, science and healthcare;
- environmental protection and international security.
The document establishes a framework for further cooperation rather than announcing specific investment amounts or implementation schedules for individual projects.
Critical minerals emerge as a major economic priority
One of the most significant areas of potential cooperation is critical minerals.
Kazakhstan and Belgium highlighted the strategic importance of this sector and welcomed a dedicated Critical Minerals Round Table held during the state visit.
Critical minerals are essential to a wide range of industries, including advanced manufacturing, electronics, renewable energy technologies and industrial equipment.
For Kazakhstan, cooperation with European partners offers opportunities to develop mineral processing, attract technology and expand industrial production.
For Belgium, closer ties with Kazakhstan could support efforts to diversify industrial supply chains.
The two countries also reaffirmed their interest in petrochemicals, mechanical engineering, renewable energy and broader industrial cooperation.
However, the joint statement does not identify specific new mining or processing projects or their expected investment values.
Belgian businesses see further opportunities in Kazakhstan
Economic relations were another central theme of the talks.
The leaders welcomed the established presence of Belgian companies in Kazakhstan and acknowledged the potential for further growth in bilateral trade and investment.
They also highlighted the Kazakhstan–Belgium Business Council as an important platform for bringing companies from both countries together.
Its fourth meeting, held during the royal visit, provides an opportunity for business representatives to explore potential partnerships and discuss investment opportunities.
Such contacts could support cooperation in manufacturing, energy, logistics and technology.
Whether they translate into new investment commitments will depend on subsequent agreements and commercial decisions.
The Trans-Caspian route takes centre stage
Transport connectivity between Europe and Asia featured prominently in the joint statement.
Kazakhstan and Belgium emphasized the growing role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor.
The route connects Asian and European markets through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus.
For Kazakhstan, developing this corridor is an important part of expanding its transit capacity and diversifying international trade routes.
Belgium, with its established European logistics infrastructure, represents a potential partner in strengthening connections between Central Asia and European markets.
Both sides expressed their intention to improve transport cooperation and support more reliable and sustainable connections between the two regions.
Artificial intelligence and supercomputing enter the partnership agenda
Digital technology is becoming an increasingly important part of Kazakhstan–Belgium relations.
The two leaders acknowledged the role of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and innovation in strengthening economic competitiveness.
They expressed interest in developing cooperation in several areas:
- artificial intelligence;
- big data;
- cloud technologies;
- supercomputing infrastructure;
- data centres.
These priorities align with Kazakhstan's efforts to develop its digital economy and expand the use of advanced technologies.
Potential cooperation could include research partnerships, technology exchange and joint digital initiatives.
For now, the statement expresses interest in these areas without announcing a specific bilateral supercomputing facility or data-centre investment.
Agriculture and food production offer additional opportunities
Agriculture is another sector where the two countries see considerable potential.
Kazakhstan and Belgium intend to facilitate greater trade in agricultural products, support the food industry and encourage the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.
For Kazakhstan, these areas are closely linked to improving productivity, modernising food processing and expanding agricultural exports.
Cooperation with Belgian companies and research institutions could provide opportunities for technological exchange and new commercial partnerships.
The statement identifies these areas as priorities for future cooperation but does not announce specific agricultural investment projects.
Universities and researchers to strengthen ties
Education and scientific cooperation were also included in the leaders' agenda.
Tokayev and King Philippe welcomed the Kazakhstan–Belgium Rectors' Forum taking place during the state visit.
They expressed support for joint educational programmes, academic mobility and collaborative scientific research.
The two countries also intend to encourage partnerships between universities and research centres.
Such cooperation could create new opportunities for students, academics and researchers to participate in international programmes and develop joint projects.
The practical outcomes will depend on agreements reached between individual educational and research institutions.
Healthcare cooperation builds on the Alma-Ata and Astana declarations
Healthcare remains an important area of international cooperation for Kazakhstan.
In their joint statement, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening primary health care.
They referred to the principles of the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care and the 2018 Astana Declaration.
Both documents have played a significant role in shaping international approaches to accessible primary healthcare services.
Kazakhstan and Belgium also highlighted cooperation within the World Health Organization's Global Coalition for Primary Health Care.
Further initiatives are expected to be considered following the conference titled “Towards the 50th Anniversary of the Alma-Ata Declaration: Building Strong Primary Health Care for Future Generations”, scheduled for October 14, 2026, in Almaty.
The joint statement links future healthcare initiatives to agreements expected to emerge from that conference.
Climate change and water scarcity become shared priorities
Environmental issues formed another part of the bilateral agenda.
The leaders emphasized the need for joint efforts to address climate change, water scarcity and environmental degradation.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting sustainable development.
For Kazakhstan, these challenges are closely connected to water management, environmental protection and long-term economic resilience.
The statement does not set out individual environmental projects but establishes these issues as areas for continued dialogue and cooperation.
What changes for service passport holders and diplomats' families?
The joint statement also addresses practical diplomatic arrangements.
Kazakhstan and Belgium welcomed the entry into force of a protocol dated November 7, 2024, amending the agreement between Kazakhstan and the Benelux countries on visa exemptions for holders of service passports.
The exemption concerns service passports and does not introduce visa-free travel for all citizens of Kazakhstan and Belgium.
The two countries also intend to complete negotiations on an agreement allowing family members of diplomatic mission personnel to undertake paid employment.
They aim to make this agreement one of the practical outcomes associated with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Belgium in 2027.
International security and cooperation at the UN and OSCE
Beyond economic relations, the leaders discussed regional and international affairs.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, international law and the central role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security.
They agreed to intensify political dialogue within the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Cooperation will also continue through the Kazakhstan–EU and Central Asia–EU multilateral formats.
The leaders additionally expressed interest in strengthening the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, which prohibits the development, production and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons.
These commitments reflect the intention to maintain dialogue on international security alongside economic and technological cooperation.
Why King Philippe's first state visit matters
The first state visit by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde comes as Kazakhstan and Belgium prepare to mark 35 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
The joint statement demonstrates the breadth of the bilateral agenda, bringing traditional areas of cooperation together with emerging economic priorities.
Critical minerals, artificial intelligence, advanced computing and international logistics now feature alongside trade, agriculture, education and healthcare.
At the conclusion of the talks, Tokayev and King Philippe expressed satisfaction with the discussions and reaffirmed their determination to give fresh momentum to the partnership.
The next stage will be turning these priorities into practical agreements, investment projects and measurable economic results.
Earlier, we reported on President Tokayev's talks with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Akorda, where both sides highlighted the significance of the royal visit and their intention to deepen bilateral relations. The newly issued joint statement sets out the main areas in which that cooperation could develop.
