Trends and challenges of energy diplomacy: a case study on Kazakhstan

Abstract

The geopolitical ramifications due to the rise of renewable energy have opened a new front in international energy relations. This article aims to use a case study on Kazakhstan to explore the trends and challenges of energy diplomacy amid the energy transition. The latest development indicates that, whereas Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries have begun adopting a coordinated regional approach for a resilient, cooperative, impactful,, and environmental-friendly energy future, the great powers and individual “second tier” countries in neighboring regions are crucial partners in terms of infrastructure investment, production of critical raw materials and rare earth elements, and technology transfer and knowledge-sharing. A model of “hybrid diplomacy” that accommodates both petroleum and renewable energy is anticipated to carve a niche in international energy relations.