Kazakhstan Hosts Aqaba Process Summit on AI Security

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan hosted a series of high-level diplomatic visits and a regional summit in Astana during the first week of November 2026. The centerpiece of these events was the Aqaba Process summit on November 6, marking the first time the initiative has met in Central Asia. Co-chaired by Tokayev and King Abdullah II of Jordan, the summit focused on countering security threats posed by artificial intelligence and preventing the misuse of emerging technologies by terrorist and extremist entities.

Regional leaders in attendance included President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. The participants aimed to establish regional defenses against AI exploitation, standardize cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, and align digital policies with United Nations guidelines.

Parallel to the summit, Tokayev conducted bilateral meetings to strengthen strategic partnerships. King Abdullah II visited from November 5-6 to discuss trade, investment, and humanitarian affairs, while President Rahmon visited from November 5-7. The diplomatic activity coincided with improved infrastructure ties between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, following the November 4 opening of a 44-kilometer highway section connecting the Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz area to the Kazakhstan border.