On 5 December 2025, the Archive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Archives of Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document opens new opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in the archival sphere, including experience sharing, joint projects, and collaboration in digitalization, preservation, and restoration of documents.

The agreement was signed by the Director of the Archive, Aliya Mustafina, and H.E. Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar, Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain.

The memorandum provides for enhanced cooperation in organizing exhibitions, academic conferences, and seminars, as well as conducting joint research initiatives. In particular, the parties plan to develop a special program for professional development and staff exchanges between archival specialists. Special attention was also given to strengthening cooperation with international archival organizations.

During the meeting, Director Aliya Mustafina emphasized that the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev places significant importance on digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence, including in the archival sector – as highlighted in his most recent Address to the Nation. In this context, the Archive continues its work in line with its Development Concept until 2035.

“Key priorities include the digital transformation of archival work, the development of research activities, the adoption of leading international practices in the field, and the expansion of international cooperation. We are also aware that the National Archives of Qatar approved their ‘Memory of the Future’ strategy for 2025–2030 last year,” noted Aliya Mustafina.

In turn, H.E. Secretary General of the National Archives of Qatar Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain stressed that the leadership of Qatar, including His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attaches great importance to strengthening partnerships with Kazakhstan. According to him, the memorandum will serve as a solid foundation for further cooperation and will create opportunities for addressing the pressing challenges faced by the modern archival field.

"This memorandum opens up opportunities not only for deepening cooperation between our institutions but also for strengthening relations between the two countries and jointly address the challenges facing archives worldwide today. We discussed these challenges at conferences of the International Council on Archives, and I am confident that cooperation with the Archives of the President of Kazakhstan will enable us to move toward more sustainable and modern archival practices," emphasized H.E. Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain.

As part of the visit, the Qatari delegation was offered a guided tour of the Archive. The guests visited the reading room, exhibition hall, archival storage facilities, and laboratory complex, where they learned about the institution’s core areas of work.

In addition, the Kazakhstani side officially invited their foreign colleagues to participate in the III Congress of Archivists “Digital Archive EXPO”, which will take place in 2026.