UAE has signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to cooperate on the Central Asia–South Asia railway project.

The signing was attended by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Zhanibek Zhumaevich Taizhanov, Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Maxkamov Ilxom Rustamovich, Minister of transport of Uzbekistan, an Emirates News Agency (WAM) report said.

The MoU aims to strengthen railway connectivity between Central and South Asia, develop transport networks, facilitate trade and promote regional integration. It also highlights the role of transport infrastructure and trade corridors in supporting economic development and strengthening connectivity across the region.

The Central Asia–South Asia (CASA) railway project is a proposed strategic transport corridor that will link Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan to Pakistani seaports on the Arabian Sea.

Investment & joint business

During the visit, Al Mazrouei attended a roundtable on “Investment and Joint Business Opportunities between the Two Countries”, hosted by Renat Bekturov, Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre.

The meeting brought together representatives of government entities and private-sector institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Etihad Water and Electricity, Etihad Rail, Masdar, AD Ports Group, Presight, Emirates Minting Factory, EMA Power and ARH Global.

Participants reviewed the progress of ongoing projects between the two countries, discussed ways to support and expand mutual investments, and explored new cooperation opportunities in priority sectors.

Create new opportunities

The discussions aimed to broaden the economic partnership, create new opportunities for the private sector and advance shared objectives and interests.

Al Mazrouei also attended the opening of the Kazakhstan National AI Research University (NAIRU) in Astana, the first university specialising in artificial intelligence in Central Asia. The university was inaugurated by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan.

The opening marks a further step in the growing cooperation between the two countries in education, technology and innovation, as well as in developing national talent and preparing for the future needs of the labour market and knowledge-based economy.

During the visit, Al Mazrouei participated in several high-level events and meetings.

He began his visit by attending the 30th Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference, KIOGE 2026, held in Almaty from September 30 to October 2. The event brought together more than 500 companies from 30 countries, alongside leading companies operating in the oil and gas sector.

KIOGE

KIOGE is one of Central Asia’s major specialised events for the oil and gas industry. It showcases the latest technologies and equipment used in oil extraction and processing, exploration, logistics, health and safety, as well as artificial intelligence and digitalisation solutions for the energy sector.

Al Mazrouei also participated in a roundtable session where he outlined key perspectives and trends, stressing the importance of strengthening international cooperation and coordinating efforts in the energy sector.

He highlighted the need to enhance the sector’s ability to adapt to rapidly evolving regional developments, support the sustainability and security of energy supplies, and prepare countries for future developments.

On the sidelines of the conference, Al Mazrouei met with Yerlan Akbarov, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.They discussed several issues of mutual interest, particularly strengthening energy connectivity and integration, and explored prospects for further cooperation in the sector.

Al Mazrouei concluded his visit with a meeting with President Tokayev, attended by Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and CEO of G42 International, and Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Ariqi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Kazakhstan.