Global Gateway is the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Through a 'Team Europe approach', Global Gateway brings together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments promoting sustainable growth. 
 
Between 2021 and 2027, Team Europe is mobilising up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable, transformational and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities. This allows EU’s partners to create resilient and sustainable societies and economies, but also create opportunities for the EU Member States’ private sector to invest and remain competitive, whilst ensuring the highest environmental and labour standards, as well as sound financial management.

In Central Asia and Kazakhstan, the Global Gateway strategy focuses on four priorities: Water / Energy/ Climate, Digital Connectivity, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Critical Raw Materials.

By connecting continents and communities, Global Gateway is shaping a more resilient, green, and interconnected world.

Flagship projects:

Regional Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy, and Climate Change in Central Asia

The Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change supports a regional approach to sustainable water resources management, with particular focus on transboundary water governance initiatives and water basin management. It supports the International Fund for the Saving of the Aral Sea (IFAS), as well as regional energy connectivity in Central Asia, to ensure a better balancing of renewable energy production. With a direct EU technical assistance support of EUR 20M, it combines in total more than EUR 600M for investments and projects from Member States.

Key Components

1. Improved Regional Integrated Water-Energy Resources Management:
   • Strengthening cross-border cooperation to balance competing water uses.
2. Increased Investment for a Green Transition:
   • Mobilizing resources to support sustainable energy and water infrastructure.

Through this initiative, the EU seeks to achieve:

• Enhanced Cross-Border Water Management: Balancing the needs of competing water users by improving regional water governance.
• Improved Infrastructure Safety and Operation: Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for critical energy and water infrastructure.
• Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Promoting sound water resource management and resilient infrastructure to address climate challenges.
• Environmental Protection: Halting environmental degradation and biodiversity loss through regional cooperation and EU-Central Asia policy dialogues.

Central Asia Digital Connectivity

The Global Gateway Initiative on Digital Connectivity will enhance Kazakhstan and Central Asian businesses and citizens' access to a secure, internet through trusted satellite connectivity. It brings together the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), with EU Member States (including Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia and Lithuania).

The Digital Connectivity initiative will reduce digital divides in the region and promote inclusive, last-mile digital services. The EU will also integrate Central Asia into programmes and initiatives designed for the EU. This initiative will be the first concrete implementation of the Digital4Development Hub branch for Asia-Pacific.

It's main objectives are to

• promote digital connectivity and the development of the digital economy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia
• tackle the connectivity gap in the region by developing a high-capacity internet network, while increasing access to international bandwidth and establishing a secure connection between Europe and Central Asia. This includes investment in satellite constellation and deployment of ground infrastructure.
• mitigate the digital divide in the region and generate positive side effects for the wider economy

Critical Raw Materials

This flagship is based on the Strategic partnership with Kazakhstan on raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen which was signed between Commission President von der Leyen and then Prime Minister Smailov in 2022.

This initiative aims to develop a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials and refined materials. It also seeks to develop renewable hydrogen and battery value chains to boost the green and digital transformation in both partners’ economies.

The strategic partnership with Kazakhstan aims to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials, refined materials and renewable hydrogen to help build a new, cleaner foundation for the economies of the EU and Kazakhstan. This facilitates the move away from fossil fuel dependency. The strategic partnership with Kazakhstan shows Europe’s commitment to work with partner countries to achieve a greener and more resilient future.

The EU Delegation to Kazakhstan is managing the regional programme EU PROSPERITY PROGRAMME IN CENTRAL ASIA: EXPANDING ACTIVITIES IN CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS IN CENTRAL ASIA to increase cooperation on critical raw materials between the EU and relevant Central Asian countries, and increase the resilience of raw materials and battery supply chains, through technical preparatory work. This component is being implemented by the EBRD.

Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

The EU supports the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor into a modern, competitive, and efficient route connecting Europe and Asia in no more than 15 days.

The EU will follow a network approach to ensure improved connectivity and cooperation, as well as economic growth between Central Asian countries.

Strategically located, Kazakhstan is one of the main partners for the EU in this endeavour. The EU works together with Kazakhstan towards increased adoption of EU transport standards, facilitation of infrastructure investments, trade facilitation along the Corridor, and streamlined border management within Central Asia.

More information on Global Gateway