President of Kazakhstan proposes holding AI forum in Astana under CIS auspices

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed holding a special forum with the participation of AI specialists under the auspices of the CIS in Astana in the first quarter of 2027, Report's correspondent in Turkmenistan informs referring to Tokayev's statement at a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State.

Tokayev also advocated for creating a mechanism to exchange experience and best practices in AI development strategies, legislation, and state support measures involving research centers, universities, companies, and startups.

According to him, the ability to master new technologies and implement proprietary developments is becoming a key factor in the competitiveness of Commonwealth economies.

Another initiative by the Kazakh president is the formation of a portfolio of flagship industrial and technological CIS projects for 2027–2030. He suggested focusing on manufacturing high-value-added products and involving development institutions, financial organizations, and businesses in this work.

"Modern infrastructure is being formed across a significant part of the CIS space to develop business ties and launch new production facilities. Now we face the task of unlocking the existing potential, in other words, reducing unjustified, artificially created barriers in mutual trade, expanding the services market, and creating favorable conditions for mutual investments," Tokayev noted.

Speaking on transport cooperation, he emphasized the importance of developing the North-South, Western China-Western Europe international corridors, and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor). According to him, their interconnectivity will increase the efficiency of continental transportation.

The president also pointed out the need to digitize transportation, implement electronic document management, and harmonize border procedures, naming the formation of a single digital corridor across the CIS space a priority task.

In addition, Tokayev advocated holding the first CIS Plus summit to expand the geography of cooperation and strengthen the organization's role as an open Eurasian platform.