Kazakhstan’s Growing Influence in International Development: KazAID
KazAID: A Diplomatic Tool in Kazakhstan’s Quest for International Cooperation
The Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) is playing a crucial role in advancing the country’s official development assistance (ODA) as part of its diplomatic strategy. The agency’s Chairman, Arken Arystanov, shed light on the ongoing projects, results, and prospects for regional and international cooperation in a recent interview with The Astana Times.
“ODA used to be part of the Western countries’ focus on aiding third-world countries during economic hardships. It has now evolved into an integral part of foreign policy,” said Arystanov. The main mission of KazAID is to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth in partner countries by providing results-oriented technical assistance and creating a favorable environment for the implementation of international initiatives.
The Kazakh government introduced the ODA law in 2014 and established the KazAID national operator in 2020. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the ODA policy for 2021-2025, signaling the government’s commitment to further expand its international development efforts.
In the span of three decades, Kazakhstan has allocated $600 million for humanitarian and development assistance. In 2022, KazAID provided over $36 million in ODA, focusing on long-term economic, political, and social improvements such as education and infrastructure development.
KazAID has signed 22 memorandums with foreign partners and is working to strengthen regional and international cooperation. The agency’s global ambitions are evident in its plans to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC), a venue for major donor countries to coordinate aid efforts towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addition, KazAID is actively involved in Central Asian cooperation, aiming to address regional challenges and strengthen the subjectivity of the region by supporting young professionals, promoting educational exchange, and enhancing regional cooperation in various fields such as medical education and IT development.
Looking ahead, KazAID has laid out several long-term initiatives including the Kazakhstan Knowledge Bank project, which aims to create an information base of domestic knowledge and technologies, and the Green School and Green Office projects aimed at promoting environmental knowledge and practices.
The agency’s partnership with domestic structures and leading Kazakh universities reflects its commitment to enhancing regional cooperation, solidifying its position as a leading participant in international development assistance efforts.
