Norway, Central Asia: Interests, Engagement and Strategic Capacity

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. Norwegian companies are finding customers in Kazakhstan. The relationship now includes a bilateral business council, regular commercial missions and exchanges on resource management and higher education.

These developments make Kazakhstan a useful starting point for understanding Norway’s interests in Central Asia and the institutions through which it pursues them. Photo credit:Author’s personal archive According to Kazakh figures presented at the business council, bilateral trade rose from $123.1 million in 2024 to $169.2 million in 2025, predominantly Norwegian exports. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry also reports $1.6 billion in cumulative gross direct investment inflows from Norway since 2005.

The business council was established in December 2024. Its first meeting took place in Oslo in 2025, followed by a second in Astana in May 2026. The EAST Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Norway organized business missions to Kazakhstan in both years.

Norwegian interests and public commitments Diplomacy provides part of that foundation. Norway’s embassy in Astana closed in 2016, a decision its budget documents attributed to financial constraints. Responsibility now rests with a home-based ambassador in Oslo.

Kazakhstan established diplomatic representation in Oslo in 2004 and upgraded it to an embassy in 2012. Political dialogue has continued under these arrangements. According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, the fifth round of bilateral consultations on July 2, covered economic relations, parliamentary dialogue and cooperation through multilateral institutions.

Norwegian policy in the wider region also includes security and institutional development. In a statement on the OSCE’s work in the Kyrgyz Republic on July 23, Norway identified the rule of law, human rights, gender equality, youth and security-sector capacity building as areas close to its priorities. It also supported the academic autonomy of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.