Singapore and Kazakhstan deepen cooperation in water resources, digital trade, AI, connectivity and regional links during Senior Minister Lee’s Official Visit
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong undertook an Official Visit to Kazakhstan, where he met President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to reaffirm Singapore’s longstanding bilateral relations with Kazakhstan and discuss opportunities for deeper cooperation.
Source: Facebook/Lee Hsien Loong
During his meetings with Kazakh leaders, Senior Minister Lee discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in the economy, connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation, as well as opportunities for Singapore and Kazakhstan to contribute to stronger links between Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
As part of his Official Visit, Senior Minister Lee called on President Tokayev and was conferred the Order of Dostyk (Friendship) of the First Class by the Kazakh President. He also called on Prime Minister Bektenov, who hosted him to dinner during the visit.
In his remarks at the conferment ceremony, Senior Minister Lee said he was “deeply honoured” to receive the award and accepted it on behalf of the Singaporeans and Kazakhs who had contributed to strengthening relations between the two countries.
“Singapore and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations in 1993, but the friendship stretches back further,” Senior Minister Lee said, noting the visit by Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to Kazakhstan in 1991, shortly before the country gained independence.
He also noted President Tokayev’s longstanding connection with Singapore, including his service as a Soviet diplomat in Singapore in the 1970s and his subsequent visits to the country.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, Senior Minister Lee said, “I can think of no more appropriate name for what Singapore and Kazakhstan share together.”
He accepted the Order of Dostyk with gratitude, expressing confidence that the relationship would continue to develop. “I am confident that the next generation of Singaporeans and Kazakhs will take this relationship further still,” he said.
Senior Minister Lee also called on Prime Minister Bektenov, who hosted him to dinner during the visit. The engagements provided an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral ties and exchange views on areas of mutual interest.
The discussions also covered how Singapore and Kazakhstan could work together to strengthen connections between Southeast Asia and Central Asia, including through greater cooperation in areas supporting regional connectivity and development.
During Senior Minister Lee’s meeting with Prime Minister Bektenov, the two leaders witnessed the signing of two agreements aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation.
The Agreement on Cooperation in Water Resources, signed between the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, will support capacity building and joint initiatives in areas including water sustainability, water reclamation and digitalisation.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Digital Trade Integration was also signed between SCE and Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd (MCM). The agreement will advance technical cooperation and joint initiatives in digital trade and logistics, with the aim of strengthening connectivity and supply chain resilience along the Middle Corridor.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) also agreed to conduct a second Joint Training Programme (JTP) in Astana within the next two years.
The programme will focus on AI, digital development, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and will train up to 30 mid-to-senior government officials from Central Asian countries.
The programme builds on cooperation between Singapore and Kazakhstan in capacity building and provides a platform for sharing experience and expertise in emerging areas of technology and development.
During the visit, Senior Minister Lee also delivered a lecture at Nazarbayev University titled “How Singapore Developed its Economy and Stayed Competitive”.
He was also scheduled to be conferred the title of Honorary Professor by Nazarbayev University, recognising his engagement with the university and its academic community.
Senior Minister Lee further visited the National Museum of Kazakhstan before departing Kazakhstan for Uzbekistan, where he will continue his regional engagements.
Source: MFA
