A new epoch in Kazakhstan’s political development begins - President
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A new epoch has begun in the political development of Kazakhstan. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said it addressing the attendees of the festive events being held in Astana on the occasion of Nauryz Meiramy, Kazinform learned from the Akorda press office.
Exactly one year ago, I initiated large-scale modernization reforms in all spheres of our country’s life. The nation backed our proposals. Within this year we have successfully implemented everything planned. Important amendments were made to the country's Constitution after the nationwide referendum. Serious political steps have been taken to renew the system of power," the President noted.
On the eve we held the election of deputies to the Majilis and maslikhats, which became a serious step in promotion of all our reforms. These elections became a continuation of large-scale transformations. In other words, a new epoch in the country’s political development has begun. It is symbolic, that this historical moment has coincided with the celebration of Nauryz," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
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Head of State Tokayev meets with well-known economist Nouriel Roubini
Images | Akorda
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the well-known American economist, New York University professor, Roubini Macro Associates CEO Nouriel Roubini, who arrived in Kazakhstan for the Astana International Forum, Kazinform cites the press service of Akorda.
During the meeting, Tokayev thanked Nouriel Roubini for taking part in the Forum, and proposing ideas to address the current global issues.
The meeting also focused on prospects of transformation of the global financial market.
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Alikhan Smailov calls to intensify CIS countries' removal of barriers and restrictions on trade
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As part of a working trip to Sochi (Russia), Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov took part in a regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States, primeminister.kz reports.
In a narrow format, the parties exchanged views on topical issues of economic interaction in the CIS and discussed the Agreement on Free Trade in Services, Establishment, Activities and Investments. In the broad format the discussion was focused on the development of industrial cooperation between the CIS countries.
In his speech, Alikhan Smailov noted that the CIS continues to act as an important platform for deepening integration ties and maintaining multifaceted cooperation.
Kazakhstan is interested in further deepening interaction on this platform, strengthening the potential and opening up opportunities of the Commonwealth," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that one of the main directions is to increase mutual trade. So, the volume of goods turnover between Kazakhstan and the CIS countries last year increased by 9% and amounted to more than $36 billion, and for the first 3 months of this year there was also a 9% increase.
The increase in this indicator is largely provided by the implementation of the CIS Free Trade Zone Treaty. However, under current conditions, we need to significantly step up work in the CIS to remove existing barriers, restrictions and exemptions in mutual trade," Alikhan Smailov said.
In this context, he noted the importance of the activities of the relevant working group and the need to conclude an agreement on technical barriers to mutual trade.
In this case, according to the head of the government, the signing of an agreement on free trade in services will be a landmark event in the CIS.
We are confident that the Agreement will open additional opportunities in the CIS and create favorable conditions for further growth of our economies," Alikhan Smailov said.
The Prime Minister also added that under present conditions the role of electronic commerce is significantly increasing. Unlocking the potential of the CIS in this direction requires coordinated action and joint work. In this regard, Kazakhstan supports the development of the appropriate concept of cooperation.
In addition, as Alikhan Smailov noted, industrial cooperation remains an important task.
The key driver of all economic development is industry, and we are already taking steps to strengthen this cooperation. We expect that the Concept of industrial cooperation of CIS states and the Complex of measures for the development of industrial cooperation of CIS states until 2030 will give a serious impetus in this direction," he said.
At the same time, one of the important conditions for sustainable development is the transition to a "green" economy. Thus, Kazakhstan carries out systematic work to improve the efficiency of the use of resources and leveling the negative factors affecting the environment.
Given that all the CIS countries have similar objectives, I urge the governments of the Commonwealth countries to unite their efforts in this direction. The International Center of Green Technologies and Investment Projects in Astana can become a platform for joint activities," Prime Minister concluded.
At the end of the meeting a number of agreements and other documents were signed.
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev`s speech at the Plenary Session of Astana International Forum
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Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests!
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Astana International Forum. We are joined by friends and colleagues from every continent and from the worlds of government, diplomacy, business, and academia.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our special guests, the Amir of Qatar, the President of Kyrgyzstan, the Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and other distinguished participants.
We are honored by your personal commitment to come here and join us in what we hope will be a fruitful exchange of views on the current state of global economic affairs and issues of regional cooperation. We believe / this is one way of giving expression to a true sense of international partnership.
As we begin this Forum, let me also extend my sincere appreciations to our strategic partner - the United Nations, and its organizations, including the IMF, UNESCO, UNDP, WTO, ESCAP and other international institutions, as well as our media partner CNN.
Dear Participants,
The Astana International Forum is a dialogue platform with a mission: First, to candidly review the global situation; Second, to identify the leading challenges and crises that confront us; Third, to tackle those challenges through dialogue in a spirit of mutual cooperation; Fourth, to renew and rebuild a common culture of multilateralism; And Fifth, to amplify voices for peace, progress and solidarity. This Forum explicitly promotes greater engagement at a time / when we need it more than ever - a period of unprecedented geopolitical tension. For it to survive, the global system must work for everyone, promoting peace and prosperity for the many / rather than for the few.
Dear Friends,
We are witnessing the process of eroding of very foundation of the world order that has been built since the creation of the United Nations. The UN remains to be the only universal global organization which unites all together. Meanwhile, we will not succeed in tackling these challenges in absence of a comprehensive reform of the Security Council. The voices of Middle Powers in the Council need to be amplified and clearly heard.
A handful of recent ‘new crises’ - from Covid-19 to armed conflicts - threaten our fragile international ecosystem. Yet the roots of this dislocation run deeper into our past.
We are also witnessing the return of earlier divisive ‘bloc’ mentalities unseen for 30 years. The forces of division are not purely geopolitical. They are also motivated by economic undercurrents. Economic policy itself is openly weaponized. These confrontations include sanctions and trade wars, targeted debt policies, reduced access or exclusion from financing, and investment screening.Together these factors are gradually undermining the foundation / upon which rests the global peace and prosperity of recent decades: free trade, global investment, innovation, and fair competition.
This in turn fuels social unrest and division within states and tensions between them. Rising inequality, social divides, widening gaps in culture and values: all these trends have become existential threats. Efforts to reverse this tide are more difficult because of widespread disinformation, which is now becoming even more advanced and dangerous. In parallel, new technologies, from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to biotechnologies, have global implications but are being addressed along narrow, national lines only. Together, these pressures are pushing the globalized world order to a breaking point.
The result is growing mistrust which puts negative impact on functioning of prominent international fora, existing frameworks, security regimes, and non-proliferation mechanisms. Therefore, we face uncertainty, greater instability and conflict. This in turn prompts greater defence spending on advance weaponry, which ultimately guarantees nothing. The proof: for the first time in a half century, we have faced the prospect of the use of nuclear weapons. All this comes at precisely the moment when we urgently need to be focusing on the existential threat of climate change.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fundamental point is: just as a combination of geopolitical pressures are pushing us apart, we face a clear, strong imperative to come together, to engage, to collaborate, and to align with one another.
At such a time, the Astana International Forum is one of many possible steps to reverse this trend. Only by meeting together, taking counsel together, being mutually honest about our problems, our concerns and our hopes, can the international community address these issues. Only this way can we shape our shared future, and return to the gradual building of a more stable, equitable, and prosperous world for all.
Dear Friends,
Kazakhstan has long been a crossroad between East and West, North and South. In many ways, this Forum is consistent with the culture and history of the great Eurasian steppe. We take pride in this heritage. It is from this continuous exchange of goods, cultures and ideas that Kazakhstan’s unique national identity and its particular brand of multilateralism have emerged.
Despite geopolitical upheavals Kazakhstan keeps serving as an economic engine in and for Central Asia. We continue to attract significant foreign investment and provide exceptional conditions to do business in Kazakhstan.
At the same time, we hope for a sense of mutual responsibility from our foreign partners. This is our basic policy. This in turn creates equal rights and opportunities for small and medium enterprises that are very instrumental for economic development of my country. Last year, Kazakhstan’s exports increased by almost 40 percent. While a significant proportion of our GDP still comes from the energy sector, our drive towards diversification is accelerating. We are seeing growth across diverse sectors like automotive, pharmaceuticals, processed metals, and mechanical engineering. We invite all of you who wish to explore new avenues for business and economic partnership with us.
For example, the Middle Corridor or Trans-Caspian International Transport Route - linking China to the European Union - is opening up new possibilities for trade and investment. The Route will cut almost in half / the time it takes / to transport goods via the Indian Ocean.
I would also like to emphasize the key role of Kazakhstan in the Belt and Road initiative, which promotes economic development and intraregional connectivity. We aim to foster physical connection among the nations and people present here today, but also to nurture bonds between our communities as partners and friends. Given all these factors, we can now say that Kazakhstan is a truly global, and most importantly, reliable trade and economic partner.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My country has always worked hard to contribute to international peace and security. We are strong proponents of nuclear disarmament and commitment to NPT. Our country initiated the Astana peace process to address the Syrian crisis. Our capital became a home to the Summits of leaders of world religions. The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia headquartered in Astana has become a visible mechanism to address regional and global challenges.
For example, we have strongly engaged in tackling the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. I want to underscore the necessity to further increase comprehensive assistance to the Afghan people under UN auspices. In this context, it is important to establish in Almaty a UN Regional Center for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan has worked hard to maintain friendly relations with our global and regional partners. And we are committed to a growing regional cooperation agenda with our brother nations of Central Asia.
Within Kazakhstan, we are making renewed reform efforts to embed principles of justice, rule of law, equality, and fairness. My credo is clearly strong: law and order. This is a solid basis for building "Just and Fair Kazakhstan".
In the very short period of time, we have reformed our institutions, curtailed the powers of the presidency, amended our constitution, reset political and economic systems, fought the corruption. So contemporary Kazakhstan is different from what it was, say, two years ago.
Our path to overhaul the existing system is far from over. We understand that political reforms and investments in human capital can save us from the middle-income trap and make our economy more resilient.
Although meaningful transformation has already taken place, there is still much to be done. But we take courage from understanding that to make a successful journey someone must be ready to overcome plenty of pitfalls. We are ready for it.
Distinguished Guests,
Of all the challenges we face, perhaps the most existential is climate change. Central Asia is one of its front lines. Even if we successfully limit global temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius by 2050 - which looks increasingly unlikely - we will experience between 2 and 2.5 Celsius of temperature rise here in Central Asia. This will transform or, more precisely, desertify and dehydrate our local environments. We must be prepared for greater difficulties. We are really concerned about the scarcity of water resources. Droughts and floods in Central Asia will cause damage of 1.3 percent of GDP per annum, while crop yields are expected to decrease by 30 percent, leading to around 5 million internal climate migrants by 2050.Our glacier surface has already decreased by 30 percent.
The two great rivers of our region - the Syr Darya and Amu Darya - will lose an estimated 15 percent by 2050. To prevent environmental disaster in the region, we urge that more resources to be allocated to support the International Fund to Save the Aral Sea. Water and climate change are closely linked. Central Asia is a region where water security can be achieved only through close cooperation and efficiently tailored joint measures. To discuss these and other climate related issues in the region, I propose to establish a project office of the Central Asian countries in Almaty and to hold a Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under UN and other international organizations’ auspices.
My country could offer tremendous green economy opportunities and finally emerge as a renewable energy hub. However, time is not on our side. To decarbonize and build green economies at the necessary speed, we need resources and partnerships.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our planet’s climate emergency is the clearest example of our interdependence and shared destiny. Whether we like it or not, we are bound together.
Given that reality, those who figure out how to work together / will succeed, and those who don’t / will fail. Multilateralism, centered in the UN’s principles and values, is not merely the most effective way to address this challenge - it is the only path.
These are the principles, the intellectual roots of the Astana International Forum, a space for dialogue to tackle common challenges and move towards cooperation, development and progress.
I am optimistic that constructive discussions in the next two days can begin to move us towards potential solutions and further collaboration. Let me end with a gentle warning. To foster meaningful conversation and cooperation, open-mindedness, tolerance and compromise are required. I wish positive impact for each of you, and for this Forum. Once again, I thank you for joining us today and I wish you fruitful discussion.
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President Tokayev urges to allocate more funds to support International Fund for Saving Aral Sea
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Kazakhstan exerts every effort to support friendly relations with the global and regional partners. We intend to boost regional cooperation with the fraternal countries of Central Asia," the Kazakh President said taking the floor at the Astana International Forum, Kazinform reports.
The President said Kazakhstan takes efforts to carry out reforms to introduce principles o equity, the supremacy of law, equality and justice. In a very short space of time, Kazakhstan reformed its institutions, limited presidential powers, amended the Constitution, rebooted the political and economic systems, and rooted out corruption.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that the water level in the two great rivers of the region, Syrdariya and Amudariya, will decrease by 15% by 2050. To prevent the ecological catastrophe in the region the Head of State urged to allocate more funds to support International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. Water problems and climate change are closely related. Central Asia water security may be achieved only through close cooperation and joint efficient measures.
The Head of State suggested building a project office of Central Asia in Almaty and holding a regional climate summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under the aegis of the UN and other international organizations to debate climate-related issues in the region.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan might offer huge green economy opportunities and become a centre of renewable energy. To decarbonize and build a green economy at the desired rate we need resources and partnerships.
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Kazakh President outlines Astana International Forum's mission
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The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, outlined the goals and tasks of the Astana International Forum, Kazinform reports.
Addressing those gathered the President expressed sincere gratitude to special guests - the Emir of Qatar, the President of Kyrgyzstan, the Head of the Presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and other distinguished participants.
The Head of State said the Astana International Forum is a dialogue platform. Its mission is to debate the global situation, outline the key challenges and crises facing the world, fend off challenges through dialogue in the spirit of mutual cooperation, restore and renew the common culture of multilateral relations, and amplify voices in support of peace, progress, and solidarity.
The President noted the forum contributes to more active cooperation amid unprecedented geopolitical tensions.
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Tamara Duissenova named as Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the decree appointing Tamara Duissenova as the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazinform has learned from the Akorda press service.
Born in 1965, Minister Duissenova is a graduate of the Tashkent Economy Institute. Throughout her career she served as the deputy governor of South Kazakhstan region, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Minister of Healthcare and Social Development.
She also was the assistant to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan between 2020-2022.
In April 2022 she took up the post of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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Alikhan Smailov takes part in Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting in Sochi
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Topical issues of interstate cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union were discussed at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting in Sochi (Russian Federation) with the participation of the Armenian Prime Minister Nikolay Pashinyan, the Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko, the Kazakhstan Prime Minister Alikhan Smalov, the Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, and the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, primeminister.kz reports.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues, including the implementation of the first package of measures in the framework of the climate agenda, further development of an integrated information system and strengthening of the digital cooperation in general, steps to form a common electricity market, as well as work on the implementation of the Strategic directions of Eurasian economic integration until 2025.
In addition, they considered the results of negotiations on a free trade agreement with Iran and a number of other relevant topics.
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