Astana International Forum
Astana International Forum is a vital platform for inclusive dialogue and international cooperation at a time of rising polarisation and geopolitical tension. Championed by Kazakhstan, the forum brings together leading voices from governments, international organisations, business, and academia to engage in meaningful discussions and develop practical solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges.
This year, the Forum expands its agenda to address a broad spectrum of interconnected issues, including energy security, climate action, geopolitical cooperation, international trade, technological innovation, and sustainable development—underscoring the need for collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches in an increasingly complex world.
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is also hosting two sessions as part of the forum. Further details can be found below.
This year, the Forum expands its agenda to address a broad spectrum of interconnected issues, including energy security, climate action, geopolitical cooperation, international trade, technological innovation, and sustainable development—underscoring the need for collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches in an increasingly complex world.
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is also hosting two sessions as part of the forum. Further details can be found below.
Session Title: Digital Asset Revolution: Astana on the Global Map of Digital Finance
Date: 30 May 2025
Venue: Congress Centre, Astana, Kazakhstan
Co-organisers of the session: AIF Secretariat and AIFC
Background & Rationale
The financial landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by digital assets. From Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) to decentralized cryptocurrencies, these innovations are redefining how money is created, transferred, and regulated. The rapid adoption of digital assets presents both opportunities and challenges for governments, financial institutions, and the global economy.
This panel session will explore the evolution of digital currencies and their implications for monetary policy, financial inclusion, and geopolitical power structures. As central banks experiment with CBDCs and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms gain traction, the future of money remains a critical subject of debate.
Key Discussion Points
The financial landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by digital assets. From Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) to decentralized cryptocurrencies, these innovations are redefining how money is created, transferred, and regulated. The rapid adoption of digital assets presents both opportunities and challenges for governments, financial institutions, and the global economy.
This panel session will explore the evolution of digital currencies and their implications for monetary policy, financial inclusion, and geopolitical power structures. As central banks experiment with CBDCs and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms gain traction, the future of money remains a critical subject of debate.
Key Discussion Points
- Global regulations: With regulatory regimes increasingly being aligned around the globe, what makes AIFC/Astana stand out?
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Future of Payments: Can blockchain-based financial services simplify cross-border payments and settlement?
- CBDCs and Monetary Policy: How will CBDCs impact traditional monetary policy and the role of central banks?
- Investing: How will the rise of digital assets as investments influence future of wealth management in Kazakhstan?
Session Title: Sovereign green bonds: unlocking financing for national sustainability agenda
Date: 30 May 2025
Venue: Congress Centre, Astana, Kazakhstan
Co-organizers of the session: AIF Secretariat and AIFC
Background & Rationale
Green bonds are a key tool for governments to raise capital for financing green and climate-related projects in line with national climate targets, carbon neutrality and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Climate Bond Initiative, at the end of Q3 2024, 554 aligned green, social and sustainability bonds from 58 sovereigns (countries) with a combined volume of USD630.5bn has been recorded, green being the largest sovereign theme with USD504.2bn (80%). A sovereign green bond can provide a strong signal of the country’s commitment to a low-carbon economy, help bring down the cost of capital for green projects by attracting new investors and mobilise private capital towards sustainable development. However, considering that governments could pursue their sustainable goals by also issuing conventional bonds, this begs the question of why governments should prefer green bonds.
This panel session will explore the rationale behind issuance of sovereign green (and SDG) bonds along with related advantages and challenges, outcomes and lessons learnt following the issuance. It also aims to unfold experience-sharing discussions engaging governments that have issued sovereign green bonds and those that are planning to issue such bonds, as well as international development, financial institutions and standard setters.
Key Discussion Points
Green bonds are a key tool for governments to raise capital for financing green and climate-related projects in line with national climate targets, carbon neutrality and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the Climate Bond Initiative, at the end of Q3 2024, 554 aligned green, social and sustainability bonds from 58 sovereigns (countries) with a combined volume of USD630.5bn has been recorded, green being the largest sovereign theme with USD504.2bn (80%). A sovereign green bond can provide a strong signal of the country’s commitment to a low-carbon economy, help bring down the cost of capital for green projects by attracting new investors and mobilise private capital towards sustainable development. However, considering that governments could pursue their sustainable goals by also issuing conventional bonds, this begs the question of why governments should prefer green bonds.
This panel session will explore the rationale behind issuance of sovereign green (and SDG) bonds along with related advantages and challenges, outcomes and lessons learnt following the issuance. It also aims to unfold experience-sharing discussions engaging governments that have issued sovereign green bonds and those that are planning to issue such bonds, as well as international development, financial institutions and standard setters.
Key Discussion Points
- What are the main barriers for governments to issue sovereign green bonds?
- Success stories: What are the results of the issuance of sovereign green bonds? What are the challenges? How did the issuance affect the local green and sustainable finance markets?
- What are the lessons learnt from the process of the issuance?
- What are the best approaches to labelling green expenditures and arranging intergovernmental collaboration?
- How MDBs and IFIs can provide assistance to governments of emerging countries with the issuance of their very first green bonds?