In
September 2026, the leadership of CFive, an intellectual platform at Astana
International University (AIU), undertook a working visit to New York as part
of the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General
Assembly.
The
program included participation in international forums and expert discussions,
as well as a series of working meetings with representatives of the U.S. and
international expert, political, and business communities.
The visit
focused on Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s strategic development, strengthening
economic cooperation with the United States, advancing the Middle Corridor,
attracting investment, and expanding international expert engagement.
One of the
key events was “Prosperity Through Peace: Investing in the Trans-Caspian Trade
Route and TRIPP,” held on September 22, 2026, on the margins of the 81st
Session of the UN General Assembly.
The event
brought together U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, U.S. Senator
Steve Daines, representatives of the U.S. Department of State, the Foreign
Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as representatives of
all five Central Asian states.
Discussions
focused on advancing the Middle Corridor and the TRIPP initiative, modernizing
transport infrastructure, mobilizing private capital, and strengthening
economic ties between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and international
markets.
An
important element of the U.S. approach was the Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund,
for which the United States allocated $201 million. The public funding is
intended to serve as a mechanism for mobilizing additional private capital for
projects along the Middle Corridor and across Central Asia.
Another
important platform was a meeting between Special Representative of the
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Cooperation Yerzhan
Kazykhan and representatives of the U.S. expert and business communities,
jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the United
States and the Atlantic Council.
The
meeting addressed prospects for further developing Kazakhstan–U.S. strategic
and economic cooperation, including engagement in the energy and investment
sectors.
Particular
attention was given to cooperation in the uranium sector. Kazakhstan’s leading
position in global uranium production was highlighted, along with opportunities
to expand partnership across the entire value chain — from resource extraction
to higher-value-added production and technology transfer.
As part of
the visit, CFive representatives also participated in the 7th Caspian Business
Forum, organized by the Caspian Policy Center at the Harvard Club of New York.
Discussions focused on the development of the Middle Corridor, regional
connectivity, energy, and critical minerals.
At Asia Society, a conversation between former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Microsoft President Brad Smith addressed global developments, technological transformation, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the global economy and international relations.
CFive
representatives also participated in the Concordia Annual Summit, which brought
together representatives of government, business, and civil society to discuss
global challenges, international cooperation, and new opportunities for
engagement.
In
addition to participating in public events, CFive held a series of working
meetings in New York with representatives of the U.S. expert and business
communities, think tanks, and international organizations.
The
meetings focused on opportunities for cooperation with CFive, joint events and
research initiatives, and further expanding the platform’s network of expert
partnerships in the United States.
The
working visit to New York represented an important component of CFive’s
international activities, providing the platform with an opportunity to present
its expert agenda on one of the world’s key international stages, strengthen
existing partnerships, and expand professional engagement with the U.S. and
international expert communities.