The 1st Kazakhstan-Spain Forum: Prospects for Developing Bilateral Cooperation
The 1st Kazakhstan-Spain Forum was held today in Astana. The event was attended by Arman Issetov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Diego Martínez, State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain.
In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted the active economic cooperation between the two countries. Many leading Spanish companies have successfully established themselves in the country's market, including Airbus, Maxam, Talgo, Técnicas Reunidas, Glovo, Roca, and Inditex.
Arman Issetov highlighted promising areas of cooperation – from transport and logistics to renewable energy, digital technologies, water resource management, advanced manufacturing, and agribusiness.
"Kazakhstan acts as a strategic bridge between Europe and Asia, and Spain brings internationally recognized experience in infrastructure, innovation, sustainable development, tourism, and industrial modernization," the Deputy Minister added.
Welcoming addresses were delivered by Asel Suankulova, Managing Director of KAZAKH INVEST NC JSC, and José Pintor Aguilar, General Director of Casa Asia.
It is worth noting that last year, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Spain amounted to $1.93 billion. From 2005 to 2025, Kazakhstan attracted approximately $345 million in direct investment from Spain. In addition, 35 joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan.
The event included three panel sessions on the topics "The European Union's Strategy for Central Asia: The Role of Kazakhstan and Spain," "Sustainable Urban Infrastructure, Logistics, and Business Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Spain," and "Tourism and Sports: Best Practices and Current Challenges in Kazakhstan and Spain." The Kazakh side was represented by Dauren Aben, Deputy Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Miras Zhiyenbayev, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board for International Relations and Initiatives at Maqsut Narikbayev University; Makka Shyngazyeva, Deputy Chairman of the Kazakhstan Center for Modernization and Development of Housing and Public Utilities; Ayan Alzhanov, Director of the Strategy and International Cooperation Department of the Kazakhstan Football Federation; Ainur Zhumatayeva, Director of the Marketing and International Markets Department of Kazakh Tourism; and Anel Turasheva, Country Manager of KAZAKH INVEST.
The speakers from the Spanish side included Ana Ballesteros Peiró, Senior Research Fellow at the Elcano Royal Institute and Professor at Complutense University of Madrid; Jesús Gil Fuensanta, Deputy Director/Head of International Relations at LASEI-UAM; Pau Abello, Senior Managing Director of Institutional Relations at Roca Group; Jaume Mas, Director of Logistics and Operations at IDOM; Javier González Bomón, Project Manager of the Atlético Madrid Academy in Kazakhstan; and Ignacio de las Cuevas, General Director and Partner at Mas Boronat Wine Resort, Director of the Eurecat Center of Excellence for Tourism Innovation – Technological Center of Catalonia, and Lecturer in UN and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
The forum focused on prospects for cooperation in tourism, sports, and education. Following the event, agreements were reached to continue active dialogue to develop the bilateral partnership.
