World · South & Central Asia · 1 day ago
Belgian king visits Kazakhstan to discuss trade, minerals and research
Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde began a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan on October 12, meeting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.
The visit brings together government, business and university representatives from both countries.
The talks focus on critical minerals, transport, science and investment, as Belgium seeks closer ties with Central Asia and Kazakhstan looks for partners and technology.
Kazakhstan wants to process more of its own resources instead of relying mainly on exporting raw materials.
Belgian expertise could help develop local processing and skills, but the countries still need to decide where projects would be built, who would fund them and what technology would be shared.
Their trade remains limited, and Kazakhstan exported $315 million worth of goods to Belgium in 2025, according to one account.
Meetings and forums are planned in Astana and Almaty, with a joint statement and bilateral documents expected by the end of the visit.
Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde began a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan on October 12.
Philippe and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks in Astana on economic, scientific and humanitarian cooperation.
Critical minerals, transport, research and investment are among the main subjects of the visit.
Belgium is seeking stronger ties across Central Asia, while Kazakhstan is looking for partners to support local processing and technology transfer.
A delegation of about 110 people accompanied the Belgian royal couple, including business and university representatives.
- Who
- Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
- What
- The royal couple began a state visit and held talks on bilateral cooperation.
- When
- The visit began on October 12, 2026, and is scheduled to continue until October 14.
- Where
- Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Why
- Belgium aims to expand its economic and regional partnerships; Kazakhstan is seeking investment, technology and cooperation in areas including minerals, transport and research.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tokayev held talks in Brussels with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Philippe and Mathilde arrived in Kazakhstan and held talks with Tokayev in Astana.
The visit programme includes a critical minerals roundtable, a business council meeting and a university rectors’ forum.
The three-day state visit is scheduled to end.
- Delegation
- About 110 people, including 25 company leaders and 10 university rectors
- Diplomatic anniversary
- Kazakhstan and Belgium will mark 35 years of diplomatic relations in 2027
- Critical minerals
- Kazakhstan offers resources; Belgian partners bring experience in processing and recovering metals from secondary raw materials
- Trade
- Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium totalled $315 million in 2025, according to Независимая газета
- Research proposal
- A joint research and education centre in Ust-Kamenogorsk is being discussed
- Geography
- The programme covers Astana and Almaty
2 sources
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What people are saying
This is a historic visit that has caused enormous interest in our society.
Kazakhstan is a very important country for us, demonstrating high rates of development. The whole region of Central Asia is also of great importance.