UAE joins Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan railway MoU as investment talks widen in Central Asia

The UAE has intensified its Central Asia engagement through a high-level visit to Kazakhstan that combined energy diplomacy, transport connectivity, artificial intelligence and private-sector investment discussions.

According to Emirates News Agency, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Kazakhstan, led a UAE delegation to Almaty and Astana. The visit included participation in the Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference, meetings with officials, and a roundtable on investment and joint business opportunities hosted by the Astana International Financial Centre.

The most strategically significant business development was the signing of a trilateral memorandum of understanding between the UAE, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to cooperate on the Central Asia–South Asia railway project. WAM reported that the MoU aims to strengthen railway connectivity between Central and South Asia, develop transport networks, facilitate trade and promote regional integration. For UAE companies with interests in ports, logistics, energy infrastructure and digital systems, the corridor theme is commercially important because it aligns with the country’s broader role as a trade-routing, infrastructure-finance and logistics hub.

The delegation’s composition also signals where Abu Dhabi sees opportunity. Participating entities and companies included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Etihad Water and Electricity, Etihad Rail, Masdar, AD Ports Group, Presight, Emirates Minting Factory, EMA Power and ARH Global. Discussions covered ongoing projects, new cooperation opportunities and ways to expand mutual investment across priority sectors.

Energy remained a central part of the visit. Al Mazrouei attended KIOGE 2026, which WAM described as bringing together more than 500 companies from 30 countries, and met Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akbarov. The discussions focused on energy connectivity, integration and future cooperation. As global trade routes and energy security remain sensitive to geopolitical disruption, Central Asia is increasingly relevant for countries seeking diversified supply chains, alternative corridors and long-term infrastructure partnerships.

Technology was another pillar. Al Mazrouei attended the opening of the Kazakhstan National AI Research University in Astana, described as the first university specialising in artificial intelligence in Central Asia, and met President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. WAM said discussions included high-performance computing infrastructure in collaboration with Presight, as well as expanded cooperation in advanced technology and AI.

For UAE business, the visit should be read as more than bilateral diplomacy. It places Emirati infrastructure, ports, rail, renewable energy and AI players into conversations about emerging regional corridors. If follow-through projects materialise, the commercial upside could touch logistics, construction, power, digital infrastructure and investment banking advisory activity linked to cross-border infrastructure finance.