22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum

Vladimir Putin with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a plenary session of the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Vladimir Putin and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the plenary session of the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum, Forming a Global Logistics Ecosystem: New Horizons for Russia-Kazakhstan Cooperation, Kremlin informs.

The Forum is being held in Omsk on July 24–25. Its participants include deputy prime ministers, heads of ministries and departments, heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation and regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of the parliaments, business and expert communities of both countries.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr President, colleagues, friends,

Allow me to warmly welcome you all once again in Omsk, Russia.

This is the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum. And, as I have just said at our bilateral working meeting, the first such forum of regional representatives from our countries took place right here, in Omsk, in 2003. Since then, such fora have become a good tradition and are being held regularly.

I was just recalling one thing: we know that President Tokayev was delighted to visit Omsk also because, in the winter of 1945, his father, Kemel Tokayev, was treated in a military hospital in this city, after being seriously wounded at the front.

This is what I wanted to say in the beginning, and, if I may, I will make my small introduction right now and then give the floor to the President of Kazakhstan.

This time the forum has brought together over 650 representatives of Russia and Kazakhstan, including heads of Russian constituent entities and Kazakhstan regions, deputy prime ministers, heads of ministries, members of parliament, entrepreneurs, experts – in short, all those who are deeply involved in the practical development of bilateral relations in the economic, political and social spheres.

I would like to highlight that during the talks we just had with the President of Kazakhstan, we highly appreciated the active involvement of the regions in advancing the full scope of the Russia-Kazakhstan partnership. It is largely thanks to the coordinated efforts of regional authorities and businesses that trade is picking up and mutual investment flows are increasing.

Thus, in 2025 our mutual trade reached almost US$29 billion, and the amount of Russian investments in Kazakhstan’s economy exceeded US$30 billion.

Major joint projects in energy, engineering, automotive and chemical industries are being implemented as part of a large-scale bilateral programme of interregional cooperation through to 2028.

We see how delegation exchanges between the leadership and legislators of the regions are expanding with every year. There are diverse endeavours in science and education, culture, and sports. Contacts between the two countries’ civic associations, social movements and youth are being strengthened.

The interregional partnership relied on an extensive contractual and legal framework. A number of new agreements, memoranda and commercial contracts are being signed by the regions in Omsk these days.

This year’s Forum of Regions is dedicated to an extremely relevant topic: the interaction of Russia and Kazakhstan in the formation of a global transport and logistics ecosystem. The potential for collaboration here is truly boundless because our countries are located at the crossroads of the main trade routes in Eurasia.

The shortest and most cost-effective transport, cargo, and passenger routes run through Russia and Kazakhstan. This creates natural prerequisites for aligning and integrating our national transport systems for cooperation in upgrading and modernising logistics infrastructure, digitalisation, and in simplifying customs procedures to ensure favourable conditions for international transit.

Our countries are already doing a lot in these areas, including together with our partners in the Eurasian Economic Union. Moreover, Russia and Kazakhstan are at the forefront of their respective integration efforts. A common market for transport and logistics services is emerging in the EAEU, a phased liberalisation of the mutual transportation regime is underway, tariffs are being unified, and e-document management is developing.

Looking at the truly successful Eurasian projects, I would like to single out the introduction of electronic CRMs, as well as the use of navigation seals that speed up border control procedures.

A promising initiative for the creation of the Eurasian Digital Transport Corridor is in the making. We are talking about using AI technologies to build optimal transport chains and enable paperless cargo traffic monitoring.

Russia and Kazakhstan are actively cooperating in the development of the international North-South Transport Corridor. Its eastern branch links Russian ports on the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Arctic, as well as regions in central Russia, including Siberia, with Turkmenistan and Iran via Kazakhstan. Freight traffic along this corridor continues to grow steadily. Over the first five months of this year alone, shipments increased by 10 percent.

A key priority for our countries is expanding the capacity of transit and customs infrastructure along our shared land border, which is the longest in the world, stretching nearly 7,500 kilometres. Obviously, border regions are extensively involved in this effort.

Russia and Kazakhstan have established a stable and efficient rail connection. Last year’s total volume of bilateral rail freight increased by four percent, reaching nearly 95 million tonnes. From January through May of this year, it grew by a further 5.7 percent.

The large Selyatina railway freight terminal in the Moscow Region, built with Kazakhstan’s participation, serves not only Russia–Kazakhstan freight traffic but also cargo destined for third countries, including China.

Furthermore, we continue to expand and modernise the network of cross-border motorways. In May, the first driverless freight route was launched between Moscow and Astana, with similar services planned for other international routes in the future.

Shipping activity also remains strong on the Caspian Sea and along the rivers connecting Russia and Kazakhstan, including the Irtysh, a shared waterway that holds both economic and environmental importance for the two countries.

Work is currently underway to develop a master plan for the joint management of the Irtysh River. It aims to strike a balanced approach between increasing freight transportation, developing water resources, and preserving the river’s ecosystem. In parallel, Russia and Kazakhstan are implementing joint environmental programmes to restore the biosphere and prevent pollution throughout the Irtysh basin.

Regular direct air connections between the two countries have also been established. Flight frequencies continue to increase, while the network of destinations is steadily expanding. The next addition will be direct flights from Orenburg to Almaty following the recent completion of a new international terminal in Orenburg in June.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasise the main point: Russia and Kazakhstan boast tremendous potential for further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in transport and logistics – the very focus of our forum today – as well as across all other sectors of the economy and social life.

I am confident that by continuing to work together in a spirit of harmony and partnership, the regions of Russia and Kazakhstan will make an even greater contribution to enhancing and advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between our two countries for the benefit of our nations.

I wish all of us success and new achievements.

Thank you very much.

Photo: Kremlin.ru

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev:

Mr President,

Forum participants,

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, for inviting me to visit Russia and for the warm hospitality. I am glad to meet you and to have the opportunity to take part in the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum. It is symbolic that our meeting is taking place in Omsk – a city with a rich history, a city of labour valour, which epitomises the close cultural ties between our peoples.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I want to express my appreciation to you, Mr President, to the Omsk Administration, the Region’s Government and deputies of the legislative assembly for carefully preserving the memory of all the Great Patriotic War veterans, including my father, who was treated here after a heavy wound sustained in Poland where he fought in the ranks of the 2nd Belorussian Front.

For many years, the Omsk Region has been making a weighty contribution to the development of Kazakhstan-Russia relations, strengthening our border cooperation, expanding trade and humanitarian contacts. Being a major industrial, transport and logistics hub, modern Omsk plays an important role in ensuring a stable growth of the Russian economy and high dynamics of inter-regional ties between our countries. So, it is not by chance that this beautiful city hosts our forum for the third time. As you have just noted, the first forum took place in Omsk in 2003, and then another forum was held here in 2019.

Practical interaction between the regions adds substance to the bilateral agenda and gives a strong impetus to the progressive development of the Kazakhstan-Russia cooperation. I should note that relations between our countries have reached an unprecedented level. This is the result of considerable efforts on the part of the heads of state and government, local and regional authorities, and, of course, the parliaments of both countries.

My state visit to Russia last November and the state visit by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstan in May this year have become historical in this respect. The declaration signed following these visits on taking bilateral relations to a new level of strategic partnership and alliance as well as the joint statement on the seven pillars of friendship and good-neighbourliness, have laid a solid foundation for constructive cooperation in the interests of our countries’ progress for decades to come. It is safe to say that relations between Kazakhstan and Russia are developing successfully across all main areas.

Russia remains one of Kazakhstan’s major trading partners. Bilateral trade approached $28 billion last year, and due to our joint efforts, this figure continues to grow steadily. During this year’s first five months, mutual trade increased by nearly 10 percent compared with the same period last year.

Russia is also one of Kazakhstan’s leading investment partners. Over the past two decades, Russian investment in Kazakhstan’s economy has exceeded $30 billion. This positive trend continues: in the first quarter of this year, the inflow of Russian investment increased by 45 percent, reaching $773 million over the five-month period. As a result of many years of mutually beneficial cooperation, more than 20,000 enterprises with Russian participation are successfully operating across various sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy. At the same time, the position of Kazakhstani businesses in Russia keeps enhancing, with Kazakhstan’s cumulative investment in the Russian economy now exceeding $9 billion.

Industrial cooperation occupies a special place in our economic partnership. Together, our countries have developed a portfolio of 177 major joint projects with a combined investment value exceeding $52 billion. Of these, 122 projects have already been completed, creating more than 30,000 jobs.

I would particularly note the launch of joint ventures producing polypropylene, automobile tires, truck components, railway products, grain harvesters, and tractors.

Several flagship initiatives are currently underway, including a mineral fertiliser production project implemented in cooperation with a leading Russian company, as well as the construction of a mining and processing complex and a gold recovery plant. The construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, with the participation of an international consortium led by Rosatom, stands as a clear demonstration of the strategic nature of cooperation between our two countries.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you, Mr President, and to your government for your constructive cooperation and support for this critically important project for Kazakhstan.

Space exploration has traditionally been another priority area of our cooperation. The maiden launch of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle in April of this year once again demonstrated that through combining our scientific, engineering, and industrial capabilities, Kazakhstan and Russia are able to carry out ambitious projects across a wide range of fields. There is a well-known Kazakh proverb: “Birlik bar jerde, tirlik bar.” This proverb can be translated using a Russian saying, “Where there is harmony, there is prosperity.”

I am confident that through our enduring friendship, good-neighbourly relations, mutual trust and support, and careful consideration of each other’s legitimate interests, we will achieve further successes on the path toward progress and prosperity of our fraternal peoples.

Mr President,

Friends,

In the current international environment, the theme of this forum is of exceptional importance. Kazakhstan and Russia, which share the longest continuous land border in the world, have been destined by the Almighty Himself, as it were, to play a leading role in shaping the transport and logistics architecture of the Eurasian continent. One could say that this is a key factor in ensuring the global competitiveness of our countries amid today’s highly complex geopolitical landscape. Through our joint efforts, we are addressing all challenges in this area, steadily developing infrastructure and boosting our transit potential. Last year, rail freight traffic between our countries increased by 3.5 percent, reaching 92 million tonnes. Transit traffic through Kazakhstan is also expanding rapidly. Over the past five years alone, container traffic through Kazakhstan along the China–Russia–China route has increased eightfold. A major milestone was the shipment of the one-millionth container along the Russia–Kazakhstan–China route. Obviously, this is far from the limit of our capabilities.

Road transport is also demonstrating strong growth, reaching nearly 8.5 million tonnes in 2025. By the end of this year’s first quarter, road freight volumes more than doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching 4.3 million tonnes.

I am confident that this impressive growth will continue due to our comprehensive joint efforts in this area, including the completion of the modernisation of road border crossings next year. As you know, colleagues, there are 30 road border crossing points operating along the Kazakhstan-Russia border. Twenty-nine of them are to be reconstructed and modernised, while the remaining crossing, Zhaisan, is scheduled to be equipped with advanced inspection and screening technology. We will work closely together on this matter.

We are also paying substantial attention to the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor, which recorded increased traffic last year. By the end of 2025, cargo volumes had reached 3.5 million tonnes, representing a 12 percent increase compared to 2024. During this year’s first five months, cargo transportation amounted to 1.2 million tonnes, which, to be fair, indicates that the pace of growth has slowed. Therefore, I believe we need to work on this issue together.

Another important route is the Western Europe–Western China transit corridor, with the reconstruction of the Aktobe–Ulgaisyn motorway to double its capacity. The project covers a total of 262 kilometres and has a total estimated cost of 523 billion tenge (approximately $1 billion). Of this amount, 230 billion tenge has been secured through two loan agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These agreements entered into force on June 24, 2026. The project is scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2029.

Overall, Kazakhstan has set ambitious goals for the comprehensive modernisation of its road infrastructure, the development of aviation hubs, and the expansion of port facilities on the Caspian Sea. In order to ensure seamless transit, enhance transparency in transportation, and reduce transportation costs, we are placing particular emphasis on the full digitalisation of the transport sector, the creation of comprehensive digital twins, and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. I believe we should work together in this highly promising area, combining our efforts, particularly since Russia has already established a strong foundation in the spheres of digitalisation and AI. Mr President, we discussed these issues during your state visit in late May, and I am confident that we will reach tangible agreements.

Last year, Kazakhstan launched the Smart Cargo system, which provides businesses with all the necessary services through a single-window platform while ensuring the transparency and traceability of cargo movements.

In March, we launched a pilot project entitled the Digital Transport Passport, which aims to eliminate unnecessary red tape and reduce checkpoint processing times from the 15–30 minutes now to just one or two minutes. Building on our existing digital platforms, we propose launching a pilot digital transport corridor between Kazakhstan and Russia along one of the busiest cross-border routes. I am confident that the effective digital integration of our countries’ transport and logistics systems, along with the extensive use of advanced technologies, will increase bilateral trade, boost transit flows, and further strengthen our economic ties.

Another significant milestone was the first trial run of autonomous freight vehicles between our two countries, which took place in May during the Russian President’s state visit to Kazakhstan. This successful pilot project clearly demonstrated that Kazakhstan-Russia cooperation in the transport sector is advancing to a new technological level. Strengthening transport and logistics connectivity between our countries is of particular importance for the border regions, where it creates new opportunities for growth by fostering closer links in industry and business, science and education, culture, and tourism.

In this regard, we propose developing a joint programme to improve air connectivity between our border regions, tentatively entitled 500 Plus. The initiative envisages the phased launch of direct flights between Astana and Russian cities with populations of more than 500,000 located near the Kazakhstani border. Its implementation will create favourable conditions for increasing bilateral tourist flows.

Furthermore, I believe there is considerable potential for developing joint cross-border tourism routes. To this end, it is important to strengthen cooperation between the tourism sectors of our two countries. I would also like to note that Russia currently ranks first in the number of tourists visiting Kazakhstan for leisure and sightseeing. China ranks second, India third, and Turkiye fourth.

We have all the prerequisites for the dynamic development of tourism: a favourable geographical location, diverse natural landscapes, and a rich and unique historical and cultural heritage. Most importantly, Russian visitors to Kazakhstan encounter neither language barriers nor mental blocks. We are united by a shared culture and, of course, a shared history.

The development of cross-border tourism is about more than just economic benefits; it is an investment in strengthening mutual trust and fostering a common space of good-neighbourliness. These are a testament to the strength of our bilateral ties and a powerful driver of our joint development.

Dear Russian friends,

The strength of Kazakhstan-Russia relations lies in the trusting dialogue between our leaders, which is reinforced by active cooperation among our regions, business communities, scientific and cultural institutions, and, most importantly, the friendship between millions of our people. Our multifaceted cooperation is distinguished by a rare combination of continuity and dynamism. While honouring our shared past, we are steadily opening new horizons for our common future. Kazakhstan remains firmly committed to developing a constructive strategic partnership with the great nation of Russia.

As you have seen today, I have brought a highly representative delegation to Omsk, including the heads of central government agencies, the leaders of all Kazakhstan’s border regions, and representatives of the business community. This reflects our serious commitment to substantive engagement and to reaching concrete agreements across the key areas of bilateral cooperation.

I am confident that the results of this forum will begin a new bright chapter in the history of Kazakhstan-Russia strategic partnership and allied relations and will, undoubtedly, contribute to the prosperity of our countries and the wellbeing of our fraternal peoples.

In conclusion, I wish all participants productive discussions, fruitful cooperation, and every success.

Thank you for your attention.

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