{"slug": "kazakhstan-and-u-s-discuss-critical-minerals-and-ai-cooperation", "title": "Kazakhstan and U.S. discuss critical minerals and AI cooperation", "summary": "Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation CEO Ben Black in Astana to discuss cooperation in critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and other sectors. The talks also explored opening a permanent DFC office in Kazakhstan, aligning with Kazakhstan's economic diversification goals.", "body_md": "# Kazakhstan and U.S. discuss critical minerals and AI cooperation\n\nPresident of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Ben Black, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in Astana, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.\n\nKassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the guest, noting that the visit continues agreements reached in Washington and represents an important step toward deepening cooperation with the United States.\n\nThe Head of State said Kazakhstan fully supports the bold vision and pragmatic approach of the President of the United States to diplomacy. Kazakhstan plays an active role in advancing key American initiatives, including the Abraham Accords, the Board Peace, the TRIPP initiative, and other projects. Taken together, these efforts have given new momentum to our expanded strategic partnership, which today is stronger than ever.\n\nHe said the visit of the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) comes at a time of profound political and economic transformation in Kazakhstan. These reforms are aimed at moving our country away from a resource-dependent model toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy. The investment priorities of your corporation closely align with Kazakhstan’s development agenda, and Kazakhstan is ready for practical and mutually beneficial cooperation.\n\nIn turn, Ben Black expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and praised the productive meetings held with Kazakhstan’s business community in Almaty.\n\nBoth sides discussed cooperation in critical minerals, transport connectivity, agriculture, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.\n\nThe possibility of opening a permanent DFC office in Kazakhstan was also considered during the talks.\n\nEarlier, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev [sent](https://qazinform.com/news/kassym-jomart-tokayev-congratulates-xi-jinping-on-his-birthday-23f8a1) a congratulatory telegram to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of his birthday.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kazakhstan-and-u-s-discuss-critical-minerals-and-ai-cooperation", "canonical_source": "https://qazinform.com/news/kazakh-president-receives-us-international-development-finance-corporation-ceo-4e758c", "published_at": "2026-06-15 08:35:00+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-15 11:49:30.152140+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-policy"], "entities": ["Kassym-Jomart Tokayev", "Ben Black", "U.S. International Development Finance Corporation", "Kazakhstan", "United States", "Astana", "Almaty"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kazakhstan-and-u-s-discuss-critical-minerals-and-ai-cooperation", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kazakhstan-and-u-s-discuss-critical-minerals-and-ai-cooperation.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kazakhstan-and-u-s-discuss-critical-minerals-and-ai-cooperation.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kazakhstan-and-u-s-discuss-critical-minerals-and-ai-cooperation.jsonld"}}