Kazakhstan is preparing to chair the EAEU in 2026, taking over from Belarus. During this time, an important meeting of the Supreme Council will take place in Astana, where the leaders of the member countries of the union will gather.
Kazakh political scientist Talgat Kaliev noted that this transition is occurring amid global economic instability. "We are witnessing significant changes in the global economy, which are happening against the backdrop of paradigm shifts that have been in place since the post-war period. Global trade, based on the division of labor, is on the brink of change, and we do not know what it will look like in the future. It is important to be able to predict these movements," he added.
Kaliev also mentioned the external challenges that the EAEU has faced over its more than decade-long history. "Kazakhstan and Russia, as the leading economies of the bloc, are heavily dependent on fluctuations in global energy prices. This requires constant adjustments to our economic strategy in response to the changing environment. The EAEU must find its place in the new global economic system, which implies the modernization of economies and the formation of a new identity," he explained.
The political scientist emphasized that in 2026, the EAEU will continue to be influenced by external factors. "The economic stability of the member countries will depend on the progress of the peace process between Ukraine and Russia, if it takes place. It is also important to consider the sanctions that have a significant impact on the state of the EAEU," he noted.
Priority Tasks for Kazakhstan
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, who will head the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in 2026, made a statement in St. Petersburg at the end of 2025 that the world is entering an era of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the importance of integrating AI into all aspects of the Union's activities, including forecasting trade flows and assessing the impact of customs duties. Tokayev proposed to make a joint statement on the responsible development of AI at the upcoming Eurasian Economic Forum in Kazakhstan.
In his opinion, the EAEU has the potential to become a global transport and logistics hub, which requires the development of logistics and strengthening industrial cooperation. "According to estimates by analysts from the Eurasian Development Bank, additional opportunities for the production and export of industrial goods in the EAEU countries amount to 67 billion dollars," he noted.
Moreover, Tokayev highlighted the need to eliminate artificial barriers to the movement of citizens within the EAEU and long queues at borders for freight transport, calling on member countries to strictly fulfill their obligations. He also reminded about the signing of free trade agreements with Mongolia and economic partnerships with the UAE and Indonesia in 2025, adding that expanding cooperation with Arab countries and Global South states, Southeast Asia, and Africa is an important task.
Currently, the EAEU consists of five countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, and the chairmanship in the union changes annually among them.
