BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. Kazakhstan’s
Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and the
global GSMA association have signed a memorandum of understanding
on the sidelines of the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum to hold the
international M360 Eurasia forum in Astana in autumn 2027.
According to the ministry's press service, the upcoming event
will focus on the development of artificial intelligence
technologies, expanding digital inclusion, regulatory issues, and
the advancement of modern connectivity infrastructure. The forum
will bring together international experts, regulators, technology
innovators, and leading market players from Central Asia and around
the world.
Beeline Kazakhstan, part of the VEON group, will serve as the
host sponsor of the forum.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial
Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev highlighted
the significance of the upcoming forum.
“Holding the international GSMA M360 Eurasia forum in Astana in
2027 is an important event that once again confirms Kazakhstan’s
status as a key digital and telecommunications hub in the region.
GSMA is the largest global organization bringing together leading
mobile operators and shaping standards across the industry. For our
country, hosting M360 Eurasia will provide an authoritative
platform for strengthening international cooperation, attracting
investment, and promoting infrastructure, telecommunications and AI
initiatives in Central Asia and beyond,” Madiyev said.
GSMA Head of Europe and Central Asia Laszlo Toth noted the
long-standing cooperation between GSMA and Kazakhstan’s digital
ecosystem.
“The decision to hold M360 Eurasia in Kazakhstan reflects the
strong and long-standing cooperation between GSMA and the country’s
digital ecosystem. From radio spectrum policy and 5G deployment to
digital infrastructure, AI innovation and the development of AI
solutions in local languages - we see growing momentum across the
region on a range of strategic priorities. Astana is a natural
venue for the next chapter of M360 Eurasia, bringing together
industry leaders, regulators and innovators from across the region
and beyond to shape the future of the digital economy together,”
Toth said.
Meanwhile, Jabbor Kayumov, CEO of Beeline Kazakhstan, said the
country has developed a strong community of telecommunications and
digital companies.
“A strong community of telecommunications and digital companies
has developed in Kazakhstan, while innovations such as the recent
launch of Starlink Mobile demonstrate the country’s ability to
implement the most advanced solutions. I am confident that M360
Eurasia 2027 will provide an opportunity to share the expertise
accumulated in Kazakhstan with an international audience and
contribute to its further integration into the global technology
ecosystem,” Kayumov said.
According to the ministry, Kazakhstan was selected to host M360
Eurasia amid the country’s rapid digital transformation and the
development of its AI ecosystem.
The country has adopted dedicated legislation and a national
action plan, while its AI-Sana program supports personnel training
and startups. Kazakhstan has also launched the Alem.ai platform,
which brings together education, research and the implementation of
AI solutions in the public sector.
The country’s digital initiatives are supported by large-scale
modernization of its telecommunications infrastructure, including
the rollout of 5G networks, testing of the region’s first
direct-to-device connectivity prototype, development of satellite
communications, preparations for a data center cluster with
capacity of up to 1 GW, and implementation of the Trans-Caspian
Fiber Optic Cable project.
GSMA is a global organization representing the mobile ecosystem.
It works for its members across three key areas: Connectivity for
Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. The
organization works to advance regulatory policy, address social
issues, support technology interoperability, and organize
international MWC and M360 events.
