AIF2025: Connecting Minds Shaping the Future

Zaman Bajwa

Finally, the moment arrived. The AIF 2025 is scheduled to take place on 28-30 May 2025, as last year, this forum was canceled due to heavy floods in Kazakhstan.

The world is tangled up in global crises in contemporary times. The primary foundations of the international system have started to deteriorate as challenged by economic instability, natural hazards, and geopolitical divisions. The situation in Asia is becoming more critical and fragile after the recent war between Pakistan and India.  The need of the hour is global governance, as it requires a renewed commitment to multilateral engagement as well as unified action to address global crises. Here, the main question arises: where is the vision to lead it? The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 has transformed into an international diplomatic center that stands as more than a platform to connect. The upcoming forum features the relevant theme “Connecting Minds Shaping the Future,” which will take place on the 29^th and 30^th of May. The world experiences division, but Kazakhstan provides an exclusive opportunity to convene dialogue, find pragmatic solutions, and inspire optimism.

The Astana International Forum is a great initiative, and it stands out from other traditional global summits, playing an integral role in bringing back authentic dialogue. The upcoming event at AIF has become more significant because it will welcome over 5000 guest speakers to engage and solve practical problems related to energy policy, economic stability, and international relations. AIF 2025 builds essential liberal foundations through its combined attendance of notable experts and industry leaders from all over the world. The concept of diplomacy remains essential essence according to this year’s theme “Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future,” as long as all the actors involved listen actively and engage in meaningful action to prevent division from gaining dominance.

Kazakhstan achieved success in establishing itself as a neutral and practical leader eons ago. The neutral image of Kazakhstan has been consolidated through the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who has linked his diplomatic approach to economic advancements. President Tokayev implements his statements through practical measures for economic modernization along with non-proliferation and integration projects, unlike many leaders who confine their influence to statements and empty promises alone. But there are still many difficulties on its road to prosperity. The contemporary circumstances of the global world uphold such questions: does Kazakhstan possess the ability to preserve its balanced position during increasing international partition? How effectively will the suggestions made by the Astana Summit translate into global action? The AIF 2025 outcome would function as the defining standard that will indicate global acceptance of cooperative diplomacy instead of conflict alongside Kazakh diplomatic capabilities.

Talking about its past achievements, the Astana International Forum has established itself as a singular diplomatic forum with its achievements in economic partnerships, conflict resolution, and environmental action. Not to forget, when other world powers found it challenging to drive productive dialogue, this platform became vital for advancing the Afghan peace process. Kazakhstan maintains its role as a regional stabilizer by advocating for a peaceful and inclusive Afghan war resolution through dialogues with the Taliban and Afghan government and other regional countries, along with international organizations. It demonstrates sustained commitment through its extended humanitarian support and educational scholarships for Afghan students as well as logistical backing for international aid. Kazakhstan has demonstrated a commitment to an all-inclusive Afghan political process by co-hosting talks in March 2021. In August 2023, the Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum in Astana led to economic agreements worth $190.8 million between the two countries. The Astana Forum recognizes that Afghanistan’s stability extends beyond regional scope because it establishes an economic partnership to support political discussions. I must add that the Astana International Forum serves as an essential model for regional problem-solving, which deserves more attention during discussions about the forum.

The Astana Process on Syria attempted to decrease regional tensions by bringing together Syrian stakeholders however, these efforts faced inconsistent results since Syria remains an active geopolitical conflict zone. Economic developments from this conference positioned Kazakhstan as the key point between East and West and stimulated Eurasian connectivity networks. Kazakhstan presents an outstanding dedication to environmental activism by setting its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The success of AIF in raising vital points to worldwide awareness faces its main challenge in translating diplomatic exchanges into sustainable, concrete outcomes beyond momentary political displays.

The Astana International Forum (AIF) has the potential to transform into a structured global cooperation organization through the integration of digital diplomacy and the digital economy while following the complex interdependence model that drives the European Union’s achievements. Today’s globalized world demands institutions to adopt economic and technical interdependence as stabilizing forces while moving beyond traditional power dynamics bound to national borders. Astana must develop and adopt tangible projects regarding conflict resolution processes, intergovernmental technological partnerships, and digital economic corridors to accomplish its vision. It is the need of the hour that requires more institutions to build future economic and diplomatic structures.

In a nutshell, with the escalating conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, the collapsing economy in the post-pandemic era, and the accelerating impacts of climate change across the globe, the framework of global governance is at its most fragile, making the role of liberal institutions like AIF more relevant than ever. The Astana International Forum is not only an event but a necessity. It’s true that the world cannot afford another round of empty promises. AIF 2025 has managed to turn the discussion into real action, and if that is successful, it will reconfirm Kazakhstan’s status as a major player on the world stage. If not, the world will become mired in more division and stagnation. Kazakhstan has raised the flag and taken the responsibility to untangle the world from global crises with its current goal, AIF 2025, of connecting minds to shape the future.

The writer is the Executive Director of the Islamabad-based think tank YFK, Central Asia Representative of Global Diplomacy Lens (GDL), and a freelance contributor. He can be reached at zeebajwa@gmail.com.