Belgian King and Queen begin state visit to Kazakhstan

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are conducting a four-day state visit to Kazakhstan from October 11 to 14, 2026. The royal couple will visit both Astana and Almaty, accompanied by a 110-member delegation that includes government ministers, business leaders, and university rectors.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties in strategic sectors such as trade, investment, education, healthcare, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. Key activities include a welcoming ceremony at Akorda, a roundtable discussion on critical minerals at Nazarbayev University, and the opening of the Kazakh-Belgian Business Council. The delegation also includes 25 CEOs and 10 university rectors.

Economic cooperation is a central focus, as trade between the two nations has grown from €220 million in 2016 to €765 million in 2025. Belgium currently stands as the sixth-largest source of foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan. The visit also marks a significant diplomatic milestone as the two countries approach the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.