Kazakhstan’s Digital Reforms take center stage at Oslo Roundtable on Republic Day Eve

Held in anticipation of Kazakhstan’s Republic Day, the gathering served as a diplomatic platform to engage key Norwegian stakeholders. The audience comprised senior officials from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside distinguished members of the expert and analytical community, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the business and media sectors.

In a keynote address, His Excellency Ambassador Adil Tursunov provided a comprehensive briefing on the nation’s ambitious reform agenda, as outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his seminal Address to the Nation, “Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and Solutions through Digital Transformation.” Ambassador Tursunov elucidated the core tenets of the political modernization process, with particular emphasis on the landmark initiative to transition to a unicameral Parliamentary system—a move presented as a significant step in decentralizing political authority.

Furthering the economic dimension of the dialogue, participants received a detailed update on the international “Born Bold” campaign. The campaign was positioned as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s foreign economic policy, articulating a clear strategy for attracting foreign direct investment and fostering sustainable, long-term economic growth.

The bilateral relationship was examined through a socio-cultural lens by Ms. Almagul Kalelova, founder of the “Kazakh-Norwegian Cultural Center” in Oslo. Her presentation offered a nuanced perspective on the role of cultural diplomacy and the Kazakh diaspora in strengthening the people-to-people ties between the two nations.

In concluding remarks, a consensus emerged among attendees regarding the positive and dynamic evolution of Astana-Oslo relations in recent years. The dialogue concluded on an optimistic note, with both sides expressing confidence in the substantial potential for deepening multifaceted cooperation across political, economic, and cultural sphere.