Cooperation on connectivity and digitalization between Kazakhstan and the EU

Ahead of celebrating the 30^th anniversary of dynamic and trustful relations, Kazakhstan and the European Union consider digital connectivity as one of the most powerful bridges to connect Europe and Asia through Central Asia, as well as a sustainable tool to access this strategic location itself and its vast market and resource potential.

On 14 December, leaders of three major Kazakh internet associations, EU policymakers and companies got together at the Brussels Press Club to discuss the further cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan on the latter’s digital transformation and the possible framework of future partnership.

Digitalization is a powerful tool for the future development of Kazakhstan. (…) We believe in 10 years’ time up to 70% of products will be built on digital platforms.

H.E. Ambassador Margulan Baimukhan, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to EU, Belgium and Luxembourg

1. Connectivity

“40% of our population lives in rural areas, so we want to use digitalization to make sure no one is left behind”, Ambassador Baimukhan stressed. There are hundreds of small villages in Kazakhstan that currently lack connectivity and they are hundreds of kilometres away from even small cities, so land connections are not really a solution, Shavkat Sabirov, President, Internet Association of Kazakhstan, pointed out. For this, satellites could be the answer.

Deploying satellites to Central Asia to increase its connectivity is part of the EU Global Gateway project’s Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Digital Connectivity. The Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity will enhance Central Asian businesses and citizens’ access to a secure, internet through trusted satellite connectivity. Earth stations with integrated Internet Exchange Points and Green Data Centres will be positioned across the territory of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, linking to existing broadband infrastructure.

“The regional dimension of this initiative will ensure its reliability”, said Thierry Barbé, Head of Unit for Science, Technology, Innovation and Digitalisation at DG INTPA, adding that the EU sees Kazakhstan as a trustable partner. TEI will reduce digital divides in the region and promote inclusive, last-mile digital services.

Alongside investments in infrastructure, the EU will promote reforms in digital governance, including in the telecoms sector, in personal data protection, cybersecurity and respect of human rights, bringing the EU’s high standards and best practices to the region, in line with its Digital Diplomacy.

2. Digital security

“Digital sovereignty is the basis of cybersecurity”, said Viktor Pokussov, President, Kazakhstan’s Association for Information Security, adding that one of the important steps of digital safety is the establishments of a safe information space for the implementation of systemat6ic measures to build a culture of information security.

Besides running information campaigns for citizens, Kazakhstan is working on several measures to create a culture of digital security: requiring certification of information security specialists, implementing tougher penalties for violations of cybersecurity and personal rata protection laws, introducing amendments to the  legislation on illegal use of electronic signatures, implementing state control in the field of personal data protection and strengthening the register of trusted software and electronic industry products, which registers the certified suppliers of electronic goods and services.