Astana Economic Forum

The Astana Economic Forum (AEF) is an international and regional platform for dialogue and a non-profit organization headquartered in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. It was organized by the Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists Association and the Government of Kazakhstan in 2008.[1][2] After a decade the forum is taking on an additional name – The Global Challenges Summit – to reflect the topics and draw of attendees from around the world.[3] Since 2015 the Forum is organized by the Economic Initiatives Fund of Kazakhstan, which is a part of the Economic Research Institute under the Ministry of National Economy. A meeting is held each year in Nur-Sultan in which more than eight thousand delegates from one hundred countries are brought together: They include chief executive officers of businesses, politicians, journalists, scientists and Nobel Prize laureates.[4]

Astana Economic Forum
AbbreviationAEF
FormationJune 28, 2008 (2008-06-28)
PurposeExtensive and democratic dialogue in solving global challenges
HeadquartersNur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Region served
Worldwide
Official language
Main organ
Economic Research Institute (Economic Initiatives Fund of Kazakhstan)
Parent organization
  • Governed by the Coordination Council

Ministry of National Economy

Websiteastanaeconomicforum.org

Overview
Organizational Structure of the
Astana Economic Forum
Coordination Council
  • Chairman
Timur Suleimenov
Executive Body
  • Chairman
Serzhan Madiyev

History

The Astana Economic Forum traces its roots to a proposal for a series of Eurasian integration initiatives made in a 1994 speech at Moscow State University by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. In June 2007, Nazarbayev suggested creating a Eurasian Club of Scientists to help with the economic integration of the Eurasian community and to develop international economic cooperation. The Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists Association was established on June 27, 2008, by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning and the Economic Research Institute.[2][5][6]

Organizers

The Astana Economic Forum is mainly organized by the Economic Initiatives Fund of Kazakhstan, Economic Research Institute and Government of Kazakhstan including 13 Ministries, the National Bank of Kazakhstan etc. Several countries and different organizations—such as the United Nations, National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna, National Management Holding Baiterek, Reinventing Bretton-Woods Committee, UN, – aid Astana economic forum in organizing the events each year.

Activities

Annual meetings
President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan speaking at the Astana Economic Forum 2012.
World leaders at the Astana Economic Forum 2011.

The Astana Economic Forum is held annually in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Its recommendations are presented each year to a G-20 Summit.

  1. The first dialogue was held on June 28, 2008, when the forum focused on topics regarding modern aspects of economic development under the conditions of globalization, macroeconomic regulation of the economy, globalization and the global competitiveness of the countries of Eurasia. The dialogue was attended by 100 leading scientists, prominent political leaders, entrepreneurs from over 40 countries. International organizations such as the United Nations, International Union of Economists, and European Economic Community also participated in the forum. Topics such as modern economics, economic development, economic stability and security, and Eurasian integration processes were discussed.[7]
  2. The second dialogue took place on March 11 and 12, 2009, when the forum focused on the economic security of Eurasia in the system of global risks.[8] The recommendations of the forum were submitted to the 2009 G-20 London Summit in April 2009.[9] The forum was attended by Nobel laureates Robert Mundell and Edmund Phelps, President Ahmad Muhammad Ali of the Islamic Bank of Development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's former President Jean Lemier, officials of the United Nations and others.[8]
  3. During the third dialogue, July 1 and 2, 2010, the forum focused on the theme of "crisis lessons and post-crisis model of economic development in globalization conditions," which included topics on public-private partnerships, development of innovative economy and other issues.[10][11][12] Topics on energy efficiency and developing renewable energy were also discussed.[13][14]
  4. The fourth dialogue, on May 3 and 4, 2011, focused on identifying new ways to develop the world's economy in three key trends: global economy and finance; business and investment; and economy and stable social development. Topics such as green economic development and environmental management were also included.[15] People from different fields, coming from more than eighty countries, participated. Notable attendees were former President Stjepan Mesić of Croatia, former President Jorge Quiroga of Bolivia, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of Canada and others. International organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Club de Madrid, were also represented.[16][17]
  5. The fifth dialogue took place from May 22 to 24, 2012. More than eight thousand delegates from one hundred different countries and international organizations attended.[18] The agenda of the forum included discussion about reforming the world monetary system, food security, tourism development, alternative energy, implementation of innovation and attraction of investment.[19] The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, stressed the need for the world leaders to take action at the upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in addressing the varied global issues.[20][21]
  6. The sixth dialogue was held from May 22 to 24, 2013.[22][23] Over 10,000 participants attended the Forum, including representatives of international institutions (UN, IMF, WB, ADB, EBRD, etc.), government officials with huge managerial experience, leading scientists, Nobel Laureates, representatives of political, expert and the business communities.[24] The presentation of the Astana Economic Forum was held in the historical center of the Financial District of New York – Wall Street on April 10, 2014. A unique Kazakhstani project was presented to the heads of international financial and investment companies, as well as experts of world stock exchanges.[25]
  7. The VII Astana Economic Forum and the II World Anti-Crisis Conference will be held on May 21–23, 2014; this year these events will be dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Bretton Woods agreement.[26]
  8. The VIII Astana Economic Forum was held on May 21–22, 2015.[27] The theme of the VIII AEF was "Infrastructure – a Driver of Economic Development."[27] The 1st day of the forum was dedicated to Africa and was titled "Africa – the Next Driver of the Global Economy".[28] Kazakhstan Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov noted: "A few years ago we started turning a keen eye on Africa. We believe it is a historic time when Africa should receive a full focus".[28] Global co-organizers and partners of Astana Economic Forum 2015 included such organizations as the UN, OSCE, WEF, IMF, World Bank, UNDP and OECD.[29]
  9. The IX Astana Economic Forum took place on May 25–26, 2016. The main topic of the IX Forum is New Economic Reality: diversification, innovation and knowledge economy.[30] The Great Silk Road forum will be held as a part of the XIX Astana Economic Forum.[31] The IMF plans held its Regional Conference within the framework of the XIX Astana Economic Forum. The IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde attended the Conference during her first-ever visit to Kazakhstan and the region.[32]
  10. The X Astana Economic Forum took place on June 15–16, 2017. The main topic of the meeting is New Energy – New Economy. During the Forum issues of sustainable economic growth, international trade and innovation will be discussed. The Forum will mark 25th anniversary of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the World Bank, as well as other events such as the Economist Innovation Forum, panel sessions organized by Boao Forum for Asia, UNDP, SAP, BCG, etc.
  11. The XI Astana Economic Forum and Global Challenges Summit took place on 17–18 May 2018. The main topics are Unified Economy, Global Strategy, Urbanization and Sustainability.[33] Speakers at the 2018 forum include former French president François Hollande, former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi, 8th UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon, futurologist Michio Kaku,[34] and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.[35]
  12. The XII Astana Economic Forum was held in Nur-Sultan on May 16–17, 2019. The theme of the forum was "Inspiring growth: people, cities, economies." 5,500 delegates from 74 countries participated in the event that comprised more than 50 sessions on topical global issues.[36] The third annual Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2019) was held as part of the XII Astana Economic Forum. At the KGIR-2019, international investors and Kazakh companies signed 43 agreements totalling $8.7 billion.[37]

See also

References
  1. "Astana Economic Forum". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  2. "Astana Economic Forum – General Information". Astana Economic Forum. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  3. "About Page – Astana Economic Forum". forum-astana.org.
  4. "Astana Economic Forum to take place in May 2012". United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  5. "History of the Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists". Eurasian Economic Club of Scientists. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  6. "The V Astana Economic forum has started its work in Astana". Kazakh-British Chamber Of Commerce. May 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  7. "Final Documents of the I Astana Economic Forum". Astana Economic Forum. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  8. "Final Documents of the II Astana Economic Forum". Astana Economic Forum. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  9. "Nazarbaev Addresses Astana Economic Forum". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. March 11, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  10. "Information letter №1 About the Internet-Forum". International Union of Economists. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  11. "III Astana Economic Forum". GRATA Law Firm. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  12. "Kazakhstan: The Record of Crisis Management in Kazakhstan Is Impressive". The World Bank. July 2, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  13. "UNIDO Director-General urges Kazakhstan to invest in renewable energy". United Nations Industrial Development Organization. July 2, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  14. "Investing in renewable energy could propel Kazakhstan's development – UN". United Nations News Service. July 2, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  15. "International Initiatives of Kazakhstan on Climate Change". Asia Pacific Adaptation Network. May 3, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  16. "IV Astana Economic Forum: a step toward a New Economic Decade". Club of Madrid. May 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  17. "IV Astana Economic Forum – For an Improved World Financial Architecture". Kazakhstan Live. March 29, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  18. "Int'l Astana Economic Forum Starts in Kazakhstan". China Radio International. May 23, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  19. "Fifth Astana Economic Forum (AEF), May, 22–24, 2012 in Astana". Intelligence in Science. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  20. "Secretary-General Says Rio Conference chance to build on what works, discard what does not, seeking fruitful exchange at economic forum in Kazakhstan". United Nations. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  21. "Astana Economic Forum Addresses Development Challenges and Perspectives". International Institute for Sustainable Development. May 24, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  22. "Kazakhstan to host economic forum". Tandem Post. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  23. "Kazakh president meets foreign envoys". AzerNews. January 18, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  24. "Recommendations for G20 leaders". VI Astana Economic Forum (May 22–24, 2013).
  25. "Presentation of the AEF in NYC this April". www.astanaforum.org. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02.
  26. "Astana Economic Forum 2014 will be devoted to the 70th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Agreement". kznewsline.com/.
  27. "Astana Economic Forum to Feature Sessions on Africa, KazAID". astanatimes.com.
  28. "Kazakhstan Eyes New Opportunities in Africa". astanatimes.com/.
  29. "Astana Economic Forum 2015 to Include Nobel Prize-winning Speakers and Discussion of Reviving the Great Silk Road". www.prnewswire.com.
  30. "Astana Economic Forum". forum-astana.org/.
  31. "Great Silk Road forum to be held in Astana within AEF". inform.kz.
  32. "President Nazarbayev, IMF Chief Christine Lagarde to meet in Astana May 24". inform.kz.
  33. "2018 AEF Agenda". AEF.
  34. "AEF 2018 Global Challenges Summit, May 17–19, Astana". Global Challenges Summit. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  35. "Steve Wozniak". AEF.
  36. "Astana Economic Forum discusses urbanization trends". astanatimes.com.
  37. "Kazakhstan Unveils High-Potential Investment Opportunities at Astana Economic Forum". finance.yahoo.com.
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