AFD 2025 Forum Opens in Astana with Ceremony and New Initiatives

The first day of the international Astana Finance Days 2025 forum began in Astana. The grand opening ceremony immersed participants in Kazakhstan’s national traditions and highlighted the values of hospitality, fairness, and trust, which lie at the foundation of the Astana International Financial Centre’s (AIFC) activities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin delivered a welcome address. He noted that the country faces the task of doubling the size of its economy by 2029. To achieve this, Kazakhstan plans to attract at least $150 billion in foreign direct investment and raise investment in fixed capital to 23% of GDP by 2029. According to Zhumangarin, the AIFC plays a key role in this strategy, offering a unique institutional environment based on the principles of English common law, independent regulation, and international standards.

Currently, over 4,000 companies from 85 countries are registered at the AIFC, covering areas from asset management and fintech to green finance and Islamic banking. The total investment volume of these companies has exceeded $17 billion, confirming the center’s growing role as an international ecosystem.

AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov emphasized that the theme of the 2025 forum is “Where Capital Shapes the Future.” He outlined four types of capital: capital as a symbol of development, financial capital in the form of investments and markets, human capital as the foundation of innovation, and institutional capital expressed in the rule of law. According to him, the combination of these elements makes the AIFC a modern financial hub in the region and a platform for attracting investors and entrepreneurs.

Following the official ceremony, a Fireside Chat was held with Renat Bekturov and futurist Brett King. Their interactive dialogue focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of finance. Brett King noted that the transition to autonomous systems and supply chain automation is already reshaping the industry, while traditional financial structures are losing efficiency. He emphasized the need for new technical infrastructure to serve next-generation financial services and the importance of rethinking the operating models of banks and regulators.

One of the highlights of the first day was the opening of the AIFC’s corporate museum — the “Museum of Trust.” The exhibition presents the history of Kazakhstan’s financial system, from the times of the Great Silk Road to modern exchanges and ecosystems. The museum aims to show capital as a phenomenon fundamentally based on trust between participants in exchange — whether ancient traders or today’s international partners.

The “Museum of Trust” will remain open to visitors throughout the two days of the forum. Its creation symbolizes the AIFC’s desire to emphasize the role of trust as a cornerstone of any financial system.

Thus, the first day of AFD 2025 not only set the tone for the forum’s business program but also became a platform for discussing the future of financial technologies and attracting investment, while presenting new cultural initiatives that unite tradition and modernity.

Do you have news that could become a sensation?
Or do you want to try yourself as an editor?
On altn.news , it's possible!
Share your materials, express your opinion, and test your skills as a journalist or editor.
It’s simple:
✅ Download the app:
       
      

✅ Register on the website.
✅ Create and publish your news.
Who knows, maybe your material will become the next big headline!
Start today on altn.news.