Proposal focuses on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, research, agriculture and regional economic opportunities.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed establishing a Central Asia–Korea Advanced Technology Centre during the First Korea–Central Asia Summit in Seoul on 16 September 2026. The proposed centre could be based at the Alem.ai International Centre in Astana and would support cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, research and human capital development.
Addressing the summit, President Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s recent initiatives in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. He said the country had established a dedicated ministry, launched the Alem.ai International Centre and put two supercomputers into operation.
“This year has been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, giving strong momentum to the development of this sector,” President Tokayev said.
He also highlighted plans for a Data Centre Valley with a capacity of one gigawatt, alongside efforts to expand research capacity and develop specialised education. According to the President, Kazakhstan’s first specialised university, Qazaq AI Research University, had also begun its work.
President Tokayev said the proposed technology centre would take technological cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea to a new level, with the Alem.ai International Centre in Astana identified as a potential location.
Agriculture was another area addressed during the President’s speech. He noted that Kazakhstan had harvested approximately 27 million tonnes of grain in the previous year, while agricultural products were exported to more than 70 countries with a total value of US$7 billion.
Given Korea’s expertise in technology-driven agriculture, President Tokayev proposed establishing a joint food industry cluster focused on production, deep processing and exports to international markets. He said the initiative could provide Korean companies with opportunities to establish production facilities in Kazakhstan, introduce technologies and access markets in the Eurasian continent.
The President also highlighted the importance of regional connectivity to Central Asia’s economic development. He said deeper cooperation with the Republic of Korea could support international business and joint projects.
The First Korea–Central Asia Summit was also addressed by President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Source: Kazinform
