Astana, April 21, 2026

The Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum: Energy Transition in Central Asia, organized by ACIK, concluded today at the Rixos President Astana, marking a milestone in bilateral economic cooperation. The event saw an extraordinary turnout of approximately 400 participants, including high-level institutional representatives, global industry leaders, and international stakeholders, confirming its status as a premier platform for strategic dialogue.


A Platform for Execution

Under the banner of "Energy Transition and Supply Chain Development," the Forum moved beyond high-level strategy to focus on practical implementation. Marco Beretta, President of ACIK, emphasized the shift from ambition to action: "Today, we are discussing delivery. This is where supply chains become decisive. Today is about one thing: execution at scale".


The event featured participation from major industrial players, including Samruk-Kazyna, KazMunayGas, Eni, Maire Tecnimont, and Ansaldo Energia, alongside logistics and financial giants.


Institutional Alignment

The Forum opened with significant institutional backing from both nations. Key speakers included:


  • Assel Zhanassova, Deputy Head of the Executive Office of the President of Kazakhstan, who highlighted Kazakhstan’s investments in multimodal logistics and digital transformation.
  • Prof. Francesco Corvaro, Italian Special Envoy for Climate Change, who described the initiative as a "distinctive Italian approach" based on mutual respect and shared objectives.
  • Marco Osnato, President of the Finance Commission of the Italian Parliament, who, via video message, defined the Italy-Kazakhstan partnership as one of Italy's most successful and promising collaborations.


Deep Dives and Case Studies: The "ACIK Talks"

A core component of the program was the ACIK Talks, where industry experts examined real-world case studies. Discussions spanned critical sectors:


  • Renewable Energy vs. Traditional Sources: Transitioning from carbon to gas in power generation.
  • Petrochemical Readiness: Assessing local supply chain capabilities.
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Leveraging local feedstocks.
  • The Middle Corridor: Opportunities for export expansion and local production.


Investing in the Future: The Analytical Youth Platform

Demonstrating a commitment to long-term sustainability, ACIK used the Forum to launch the Analytical Youth Platform. To mark the occasion, a group of Kazakhstani students studying in Italy were flown to Astana via a dedicated Neos flight.


"Systems do not transform themselves. People do," stated Marco Beretta, highlighting that these students represent the future engineers and policymakers who will lead the systems discussed during the Forum.


Acknowledgments

The success of the Forum was made possible through the support of official media partner L’Espresso and key sponsors including KazMunayGas, Maire Tecnimont, Ludoil Energy, Ansaldo Energia, Neos, Kazarmatura, Neway Valve, Blue Bell Shipping, Globalink Logistics, and National Business.