Astana – Amman: Politics, economy, culture
On February 18-19, the President of Kazakhstan will pay his first official visit to Jordan. A Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports on the relations between Astana and Amman.
Political dialogue
Kazakhstan and Jordan share a strong strategic partnership. In 2023, the two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established on February 9, 1993. Over the years, Astana and Amman have significantly expanded cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres. Both nations maintain active political contacts at the highest levels. King Abdullah II of Jordan has visited Kazakhstan multiple times, while President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has met with the Jordanian monarch twice during the 74th (2019) and 77th (2022) sessions of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Their relationship dates back even further—Tokayev met King Abdullah II in Amman in 2015 while serving as Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and again during the King’s official visit to Kazakhstan in 2017.
Kazakhstan and Jordan also maintain interparliamentary ties. Speakers of the upper and lower houses of both countries’ parliaments have held multiple meetings, and Jordanian parliamentarians actively participate in international forums organized in Kazakhstan. In 2019, the speakers of both chambers of Jordan’s parliament took part in the 4th Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Parliaments. Additionally, the Kazakh Senate has a Cooperation Group with the Jordanian Senate, and a similar committee exists in the Jordanian Parliament.
Cooperation in international organizations
Kazakhstan and Jordan actively collaborate within the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other international institutions. Both countries participate in peacekeeping missions, support Middle East peace initiatives, and contribute to the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
At the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023, Kazakhstan and Jordan supported a resolution granting Palestine full UN membership. In 2024, both nations voted in favor of a resolution supporting UNRWA.
In January 2025, the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), in partnership with Kazakhstan and other OIC member states, sent its first humanitarian convoy to Gaza—12 trucks carrying 200 tons of flour. The delivery was facilitated by the Jordanian Hashemite Charitable Organization, as Jordan’s humanitarian corridor became crucial due to restrictions on the Egyptian route to Gaza.
Trade and economic relations: A 4.2% Growth
Trade relations between Kazakhstan and Jordan have shown steady growth. From January to November 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $6 million, marking a 4.2% increase compared to 2023. Kazakhstan’s exports to Jordan amounted to $3.7 million, while Jordanian imports to Kazakhstan grew by 30.9%, reaching $2.3 million.
Kazakhstan exports aircraft, natural honey, and lamb meat to Jordan. In return, Jordan supplies knitted goods, mineral fertilizers, tropical fruits, and other products.
A key mechanism in trade relations is the Kazakhstan-Jordan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, established in 2007. Its fifth meeting took place on December 10-11, 2024, in Amman. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including joint projects in geological exploration and mineral extraction, particularly uranium. Agreements were reached with Jordan’s state-owned uranium company (JUMCO) for Kazakhstan’s national nuclear company, Kazatomprom, to participate in uranium projects in Jordan.
The Kazakhstan-Jordan Business Council is also actively functioning, with its next meeting scheduled in Astana this year.
In September 2024, trade and investment meetings were held in Amman, focusing on attracting investments in Kazakhstan’s non-resource sectors. As a result, nine bilateral memorandums of understanding and cooperation were signed.
Since 2005, Jordan has invested a total of $15.4 million in Kazakhstan. Promising sectors for further cooperation include pharmaceuticals, tourism, IT, cosmetics, veterinary sciences, light industry, and nuclear energy. However, trade development faces logistical challenges, the absence of large multinational companies in Jordan, and the lack of competitiveness of Kazakh goods due to high transportation costs.
Military-technical cooperation
Kazakhstan and Jordan continue to strengthen military ties. In January 2016, the two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on military and technical cooperation in Amman.
Kazakh military personnel also participate in Jordan’s “Eager Lion” exercises—one of the largest military drills in the region, aimed at experience exchange and improving operational interoperability among partner countries. The latest exercises involving Kazakhstan took place in 2024.
Sister cities and cultural ties
Cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Jordan are developing dynamically. In 2005, Astana and Amman became sister cities. In 2008 and 2009, both countries hosted each other’s Cultural Days.
In 2014, a street in Astana was named after King Hussein bin Talal, and in 2020, a street in Amman was named after Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Kunanbayev.
The two countries also cooperate in education. Currently, 288 Jordanian students study in Kazakh universities, and Kazakh cultural centers are being established in Jordanian universities.
“The President of Kazakhstan’s visit to Jordan is a milestone event in bilateral relations, as it marks his first visit as Head of State. This meeting between the leaders is expected to provide new momentum for the strategic partnership between our countries,” said Talgat Shaldanbay, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Jordan.
He added that during the visit, several key agreements covering economics, trade, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, media, nuclear energy, and veterinary sciences will be signed.
“These agreements will not only strengthen existing ties but also open new opportunities for joint projects,” he commented.
The Ambassador emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit will lay a strong foundation for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, deepening political dialogue, and boosting economic initiatives.
“Kazakhstan and Jordan are partners whose cooperation is built on trust and mutual interest in sustainable development,” concluded Talgat Shaldanbay.
Despite existing challenges, such as transportation accessibility and high logistics costs, the potential for bilateral relations remains significant. Mutual efforts to overcome barriers and implement joint projects can elevate cooperation to a new level, strengthening economic and political ties between the two nations.
Earlier, it was reported that the value of export certificates issued by the Amman Chamber of Commerce increased by 9.2% in January compared to the same period last year, reaching JD 117 million, up from JD 107 million in January 2023.