Visited exhibition pavilions of nations from Central Asia: Tokayev's Tour
Kazakhstan Aims to Become Major Logistics Hub in Eurasia
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently outlined Kazakhstan's long-term goal at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Turkmenistan. The conference, attended by multiple heads of delegations, aimed to discuss strategies for improving landlocked countries' economic development and trade.
During his speech, President Tokayev emphasised Kazakhstan's ambition to establish itself as a significant logistics and transit hub in Eurasia. This goal is designed to enhance regional connectivity, boost trade volumes, and diversify trade routes between China, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
To achieve this objective, Kazakhstan is prioritising the development of transport corridors and transit infrastructure along the North-South and Middle Corridors.
Key elements of this strategy include modernising and expanding infrastructure under the $9 billion Nurly Zhol plan. This initiative aims to upgrade highways and railways, significantly increasing freight capacity. The goal is to triple rail freight volume between China and Europe by 2029 through partnerships with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Another crucial aspect is the strengthening of the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) by developing rail cooperation with Turkey and China. This involves enhancing railway freight transportation through digital solutions like paperless documentation and real-time tracking. Kazakhstan projects that freight volume on this corridor will exceed 10 million tons by 2030.
Accelerating transit projects and regional cooperation with neighbours such as Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan is another key focus. This involves drafting comprehensive bilateral and multilateral cooperation plans, improving multimodal transport links, and increasing transit capacity by constructing strategic infrastructure like the new railway bridge over the Syr Darya River and the Darbaza-Maktaaral railway line.
Lastly, Kazakhstan plans to expand air freight and logistics hubs, such as the Tobyl logistics hub and Sary Arka Airport, to tap into the growing global air freight market and facilitate faster cargo handling through digitalization efforts.
Collectively, these efforts aim to position Kazakhstan as a central node in global supply chains, linking East and West through resilient, climate-adaptive transport corridors while promoting economic development, diversification, and investment inflows in its transport and logistics sectors.
The Kazakhstan exhibit at the conference was designed in the spirit of national traditions, with Kazakh yurts set up to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. A theatrical performance featuring a ceremonial welcome and national rituals was also part of the exhibit. Other exhibition pavilions, such as those of Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, showcased the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of the region's peoples.
The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was reported by our website, citing Akorda's press service. Before the opening ceremony, President Tokayev participated in an informal meeting of Central Asian leaders. Exhibition pavilions of Central Asian countries were visited during the conference.
These developments underscore Kazakhstan's commitment to becoming a major player in the global logistics and transit sector, fostering economic growth and regional cooperation.
- Kazakhstan's goal to become a significant logistics and transit hub in Eurasia is a key policy-and-legislation focus, as outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
- The ongoing efforts in Kazakhstan, such as the development of transport corridors, strengthening of the Middle Corridor, and expansion of air freight and logistics hubs, are part of the general-news discussion in politics regarding strategies for improving landlocked countries' economic development and trade.
