President Tokayev suggests BRICS Plus Artificial Intelligence Partnership

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed uniting BRICS Plus artificial intelligence national centers and expanding access to laboratories and scientific projects. According to Qazinform News Agency and Jen, the initiative highlights artificial intelligence as a primary driver of transformation across economies, societies, and the global balance of power. The proposal was advanced during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, which ran on September 12–13, 2026. The two-day gathering took place under India's chairship, as reported by The Tribune.

Addressing the Outreach/BRICS Plus plenary session under the theme Strengthening Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Stability, Tokayev stressed the potential of emerging economies.

"By combining the technological capabilities of leading emerging economies with their scale, BRICS can unlock new opportunities for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth,"

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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, via Qazinform News Agency

Tokayev stated, adding that Kazakhstan views AI as a strategic priority and is ready to leverage its advanced computing infrastructure and UN national and digital centers to support the format.

As a concrete step, the Kazakh president proposed launching a BRICS Plus AI Partnership aimed at developing multilingual solutions alongside joint laboratory access. This builds upon broader regional digital initiatives, such as Kazakhstan's domestic technology framework that includes declaring 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, adopting the AI Law and the Digital Code, and developing Alatau as Central Asia's first fully integrated digital city, as detailed in The Astana Times.

Beyond technology, Tokayev addressed critical global challenges including water management. He reminded delegates that Kazakhstan has proposed establishing an International Water Organization as a UN specialized agency to improve coordination and strengthen interstate cooperation, inviting BRICS members and partners to join international consultations.

In his closing remarks, Tokayev warned that multipolarity without effective multilateralism risks making the current era of "Great Fragmentation" even more dangerous, emphasizing that Kazakhstan supports a multipolar world based on sovereign equality, a balance of interests, and shared responsibility.

The summit itself saw the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the outcome as a reflection of a BRICS that is wider in reach and stronger in purpose. According to The Tribune, Modi noted that the declaration focuses on innovation, sustainability, and people-to-people ties, with explicit commitments to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure, quantum technologies, startups, MSMEs, science, and research.

Event / Summit	Location	Dates / Timing	Key Focus Areas
18th BRICS Summit	New Delhi, India	September 12–13, 2026	Resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability, AI, and digital public infrastructure
State Visit & Summit	Seoul, South Korea	September 14–16, 2026	Energy, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and critical minerals

The diplomatic calendar for President Tokayev remains intense following the New Delhi gathering. According to reporting from infohub.kz, Tokayev is heading straight to Seoul for a state visit and talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, scheduled for September 14–16, 2026, with the main leaders' meeting planned for the afternoon of September 15. This visit marks the first time the Central Asia–South Korea cooperation format has been elevated from the ministerial level to a meeting of leaders from all five Central Asian nations, with multilateral sessions expected to result in the Seoul Declaration.

For readers following broader regional developments, additional context on regional geopolitics and technological cooperation can be found via TRT World regarding Central Asian friendship treaties and TvBrics regarding Commonwealth of Independent States coordination.