The concept of so-called «soft power» in contemporary geopolitics has various interpretations. In one version, it is an instrument of influence for superpowers; in another, it is a means for successful developing countries, such as Kazakhstan, to promote their models. The strength in this case lies in the attractiveness of our model and the desire of others to follow it.

No, It Is Not an Analogue of «USAID»

The Kazakh Agency for International Development (KazAID) is very reminiscent in its name of the well-known structure of the U.S. Department of State. However, as the organization states, despite the similarity in names and some quite close proclaimed common global goals (for example, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals), one should not «parallel» these two institutions. This is because, firstly, Kazakhstan does not have the same ambitions and goals as the USA, and secondly, the very essence of the strategies of the two organizations is absolutely different. If USAID does not hide its interests in promoting the American model of democracy around the world, then KazAID does not set such global political tasks.

Nevertheless, the Kazakh path of development indeed has obvious advantages, and it is no wonder that many developing countries in the region and the world strive to get acquainted with it more closely. Why not? And why not help them in this?

Speaking of the history of KazAID’s creation, it is worth remembering that over the course of more than three decades, Kazakhstan has undergone a truly enormous evolution. Having joined the international relations system from the moment of gaining independence, the country has gone from being a recipient of official aid from various foreign organizations to a donor helping other states. An additional impetus to this process was given by the agreements reached at the high-level forum on the effectiveness of official development assistance (ODA) in Pusan, Korea, in December 2011. Then the importance of participation of the so-called «new donors» from the dynamically developing transitional economies in providing development assistance to other states was confirmed.

Thus, Kazakhstan became an official participant in development assistance programs under the auspices of the UN. Until 2013, this international aid was provided in the form of voluntary contributions and participation in trust funds, with projects in the fields of ecology, healthcare, women’s rights, assistance to landlocked countries, and combating drugs being the focus of work. But at that time, aid in a bilateral format was provided sporadically, without systematic organization. Considering Kazakhstan’s international authority and the growing economic potential of the country, it became clear that Astana needed a clear policy in the field of official development assistance to different countries. Such a policy was required to find adequate responses to global challenges and regional problems, to coordinate with other states, and overall to strengthen Kazakhstan’s role and authority in regional and international relations.

It was precisely to achieve these goals that the national Kazakh operator in the field of ODA — the Kazakh Agency for International Development «KazAID» — was created.

The Main Thing Is Kazakhstan’s National Interests

The organization’s range of tasks is extensive. Among them are global ones, such as facilitating the resolution of worldwide and regional sustainable development problems, developing political, economic, educational, social, cultural, and scientific ties with foreign countries, and forming a belt of good neighborliness along the perimeter of the Kazakhstani border. And the main goal is to strengthen the authority and positive perception of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the world community.

There are also local tasks that involve assisting specific states in the field of international development. Speaking of which countries are the focus of KazAID projects and what priorities the organization adheres to when selecting states for cooperation, the chief manager and advisor to the board of KazAID, Gaukhar Beiseeva, notes that the challenges of global development, the national potential and available resources of the states, and, of course, the development of relations with them in the context of Kazakhstan’s national interests are primarily taken into account.

«In accordance with the policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of official development assistance, we have identified sectoral and geographical priorities. A special focus is made on providing various types of assistance through bilateral cooperation. Currently, priority attention is given to Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. Besides Central Asia, to achieve the maximum synergistic effect, Kazakh official development assistance may also be potentially oriented towards the South Caucasus, Africa, and Latin America,» she explains.

The choice of geographical priorities, according to the chief manager of KazAID, depends on a number of factors, including the political, socio-economic connection of partner countries with Kazakhstan, and the presence of potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. And, of course, the main criterion is the strategic interests of Kazakhstan.

The organization clarifies that not every state can count on Kazakhstan’s support in terms of international development. In choosing geographical priorities for 2021–2025, KazAID was guided by a number of criteria. Among them, in particular, are the depth of bilateral ties and relations of Kazakhstan with the partner country, the latter’s needs for cooperation (assessed, in particular, by the level of socio-economic development). The division of work directions for development support with other donor countries is also taken into account. Of course, the readiness of the country itself to accept assistance is considered – no one is imposing anything on anyone.

The «KazAID Goes Digital» Project

The development of digital innovations in Kazakhstan has become, without exaggeration, an example and a revelation even for many developed countries. It is not common everywhere in the modern world, for example, to obtain a bank card within a matter of minutes. And the project being discussed did not arise out of nowhere – it is aimed at Kazakhstan’s contribution to achieving digital equality in the region, to leveling imbalances in this area.

«Kazakhstan shares the position of the international community that different countries, regardless of their income levels, need equal access to digitalization. Digital transformation of key sectors, development of an innovative economy – these are integral conditions for achieving competitiveness. Therefore, countries need to adapt and adopt their own digital development strategies to not ‘miss the train.’ Until 2021, the driver of digitalization in our country was the state program ‘Digital Kazakhstan.’ It contributed to the development of modern technologies and the growth of human resources in this area, which ultimately brought Kazakhstan to a leading position in the region. Therefore, now our policy focuses on training, knowledge transfer, and experience exchange,» explains Gaukhar Beiseeva.

The KazAID agency considers cooperation in the field of digitalization one of the main directions of its international activities. One of the successful projects was the creation of modules for the e-government of Tajikistan and the provision of educational vouchers to Dushanbe for training specialists in the digitalization of public services. Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia are now expressing interest in similar projects. Also, as the agency reports, this year, in collaboration with the Singaporean Temasek Foundation and the Civil Service College, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Nazarbayev University have launched the «Dostyk – Digitalization» program with training seminars for civil servants from Central Asia. In addition to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, these projects also contribute to promoting the export of Kazakh products, increasing the country’s competitiveness and image.

All KazAID projects include a component of cultural promotion of our country, striving for its global recognition. For example, when conducting seminars and advanced training courses on Kazakh platforms, a cultural program is also provided for participants from Central Asia.

The Kazakh Model

In general, Astana’s state policy in the field of official development assistance to other countries is not spontaneous and is not dictated from outside, notes the chief manager of KazAID. It is closely synchronized with the directions of the foreign policy concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the priorities of economic development and national security of our country, as well as with international commitments and principles that guide Kazakhstan. In particular, these are the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015.

KazAID responds that the implementation of this UN agenda has opened up new extensive opportunities for Kazakhstan to become a key partner for many states. And this is important from the perspective of our long-term interests. For example, within the framework of the fourth goal of sustainable development «Quality Education, improving the quality of education in Central Asian countries» and the 17th goal «Partnership for development,» the agency launched the authoritative international program «Dostyk.» These are projects such as «Advanced training of civil servants of Central Asia,» «Improving public administration in the CA countries,» «Stimulating regional cooperation in the CA countries in the field of diplomacy.» To some extent, this is not only support but also an «export» of the basic principles of the «Kazakh path,» thanks to which our country has achieved success in its development over 33 years of independence. The effectiveness and progressiveness of the management models, digitalization of the public sector, and maintaining stability in a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional society achieved by Kazakhstan are recognized by many experts today. And what is progressive, many strive to adopt and develop in their own countries.