Kazakhstan and Jordan held an Aqaba Process summit in Astana on Friday, Nov. 6, where regional leaders discussed AI security and cooperation against terrorism and extremism.
The Royal Hashemite Court said King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev co-chaired the meeting. The court identified AI security as its theme and said participants discussed using artificial intelligence to counter terrorism and extremism.
Participants also considered ways to improve coordination and exchange expertise. The court said experts and representatives of international AI companies attended.
Kazakhstan’s presidency named Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev among those present. Azerbaijan’s National Assembly Speaker Sahiba Gafarova and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev also attended.
Tokayev said the meeting was the Aqaba Process’ first gathering in Central Asia, according to remarks published by Kazakhstan’s presidency.
The Royal Hashemite Court traces the process to 2015, attributing its founding to Abdullah and describing its purpose as cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism. Kazakhstan’s presidency says the forum includes heads of state, leaders of intelligence agencies, defense institutions and international organizations. It is intended to help participants develop a shared understanding of threats and agree on practical measures.
Before the summit, Uzbekistan’s presidential office said the agenda would cover preventing terrorist or extremist use of AI and strengthening regional and international cooperation to address technology-related threats.
The gathering followed Thursday talks between Abdullah and Tokayev. Kazakhstan’s presidency said they discussed defense and technology cooperation, along with trade, investment and tourism. EconoTimes had earlier reported plans for the Astana meeting.
