The key facts

  • Mirziyoyev arrived in Astana on November 5; he was met at the airport by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljas Bektenov
  • Participation in the meeting of Central Asian leaders in the Aqaba Process format is scheduled for November 6
  • Meeting topics: AI security, combating its use for terrorist and extremist purposes, new technological threats

Visit to Astana

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Astana on November 5. According to Kun.uz, the trip took place at the invitation of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Abdullah II of Jordan. The Uzbek leader was met at the airport by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljas Bektenov and other officials.

What is planned for November 6

The main event of the visit will be a meeting of the leaders of Central Asian states within the Aqaba Process, scheduled for November 6. According to the outlet, it is devoted to three interrelated topics: ensuring security in the field of artificial intelligence, combating its use for terrorist and extremist purposes, and strengthening international and regional cooperation in countering new technological risks and threats.

Context

The Aqaba Process format combines the Central Asian agenda with Jordan's participation — this is what explains the joint nature of the invitation from Tokayev and King Abdullah II. Participation in the summit itself does not yet mean that any decisions have been made: available publications do not report anything about agreements or the outcomes of the meeting on artificial intelligence security. A corresponding list of materials has been posted on the website of the President of Uzbekistan, however, its content is not disclosed in the sources' accounts.