Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have significantly expanded their strategic and economic partnership, underscored by the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to Nur-Sultan. Hosted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Akorda Presidential Palace, the visit marked a pivotal moment in a relationship that continues to broaden from traditional trade to critical areas including energy, transport, digital transformation, and education.
“The UAE is among Kazakhstan’s top ten foreign investors,” President Tokayev noted during the state visit, highlighting that Emirati investment in Kazakhstan more than doubled in 2024, reaching unprecedented levels. More than 20 commercial agreements were signed, valued at approximately $5 billion, laying the foundation for intensified cooperation across both economic and strategic domains.
Key Agreements
Sheikh Khaled’s visit was not merely ceremonial—it was characterized by in-depth strategic dialogue and expansive bilateral engagements. The discussions reflected a mutual ambition to deepen ties not only in economic affairs but in state-level infrastructure and energy resilience.
Among the key agreements were:
- Energy Infrastructure: Masdar and Samruk-Kazyna JSC signed a landmark deal to develop a 24/7 renewable energy project providing 500 MW of baseload power and 2 GW in battery storage.
- Transport and Aviation: Memoranda were exchanged between respective ministries to bolster logistics and invest in Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport and its surroundings.
- Digital Transformation: Samruk-Kazyna and AIQ, as well as QazaqGaz and AIQ, signed agreements to implement AI and digital tools across the oil and gas sector.
- Judicial and Financial Collaboration: Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Justice and its UAE counterpart agreed to judicial cooperation, while Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank formalized financial support for key Kazakh development projects.
- Healthcare and Maritime Expansion: The construction of a new maternity hospital in Turkestan and the enhancement of Kazakhstan’s merchant fleet through a protocol with Abu Dhabi Ports Group further illustrate the diverse scope of cooperation.
Advancing Renewable Energy Goals with Masdar
A central outcome of the visit was the announcement of the ratified intergovernmental agreement for a 1GW wind project in Kazakhstan’s Jambyl region—already poised to be among the region’s largest renewable initiatives.
“This agreement builds on the already strong energy partnership between our two countries and will support Kazakhstan’s ambitious renewable energy objectives,” said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar. He underscored the agreement’s role in advancing socioeconomic development and energy resilience through clean power and innovation.
Nurlan Zhakupov, CEO of Samruk-Kazyna, echoed these sentiments: “This agreement represents a step forward toward increasing the share of renewable energy in Kazakhstan’s energy mix.” He emphasized the alignment with President Tokayev’s carbon neutrality target by 2060.
Masdar’s CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi described Kazakhstan as a “key strategic partner,” reinforcing the importance of the collaboration in achieving mutual climate goals and economic diversification. The wind project—alongside a 600 MWh battery storage system—is expected to begin construction in 2026.
At the Kazakhstan-UAE Business Forum, President Tokayev reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforming the national economy and enhancing its investment climate. With more than $4.3 billion in cumulative Emirati investment, the UAE remains Kazakhstan’s foremost Gulf partner.
He highlighted the recent creation of the Investment Promotion Council, a high-level body designed to streamline investor engagement and support foreign enterprises in Kazakhstan. Priority sectors for future cooperation include energy, logistics, finance, high technology, and agriculture.
Institutional and Cultural Exchange: A Comprehensive Partnership
Beyond economics and infrastructure, the visit showcased strong institutional and cultural bonds. The delegation visited the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)—home to 46 UAE-registered companies—and reviewed the operations of the Financial Services Regulatory Committee, the stock exchange, and the International Arbitration Center.
In a nod to cultural diplomacy, the leaders toured the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Lyceum No. 84, where Arabic language education has flourished, and visited the Ethnoaul exhibition, celebrating Kazakhstan’s rich cultural heritage.
Regional Implications and Forward Momentum
The agreements signed during Sheikh Khaled’s visit not only reaffirm the strength of Kazakhstan-UAE relations but also reflect the evolving dynamics of regional cooperation in Central Asia and the Gulf. With nearly $5 billion in new deals and a shared agenda on renewable energy, digital transformation, and infrastructure development, both nations are laying the groundwork for a strategic alliance poised to shape regional economic and geopolitical landscapes.
The partnership also aligns with broader efforts to diversify economies, promote green transitions, and foster stability through strategic investments—hallmarks of a maturing bilateral relationship that is expected to gain further traction in the years ahead.