Kazakhstan, 8th Jun 2023, King NewsWire – President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, called on the international community “to come together, to engage, to collaborate, and to align with one another” in his address at the plenary session of the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 8 in Kazakhstan.
He emphasized that the global system must work for all, bringing peace and prosperity to the many, not to the few. Speaking about the United Nations, the Kazakh President stated that it is the only universal global organization that unites all of humanity. At the same time, he pointed out that “we will not succeed in meeting the current challenges without a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council. It is necessary that the voices of the representatives of the ‘middle powers’ are amplified in the UN Security Council and are heard.”
President Tokayev also covered Kazakhstan’s contribution to regional and global prosperity and stability, noting that despite geopolitical upheavals, Kazakhstan keeps serving as an economic engine in and for Central Asia.” Mentioning the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which links China to the European Union and opens up new opportunities for trade and investment, President Tokayev stated that “Kazakhstan is a truly global, and reliable trade and economic partner.”
Focusing on the domestic reforms in Kazakhstan, President Tokayev stressed that Kazakhstan is making renewed reform efforts to embed principles of justice, rule of law, equality, and fairness. He said: “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 two years ago.” He pointed out that Kazakhstan’s path to overhaul the existing system is far from over, stating: “We understand that political reforms and investments in human capital can save us from the middle-income trap and make our economy more resilient.”
Turning to the issue of climate change, President Tokayev pointed out that Central Asia is a region where water security can be achieved only through close cooperation and efficiently tailored joint measures. He said: “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.”
In addition to President Tokayev, the plenary session of the AIF was attended by the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva, OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, and Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
Kazakhstan launched the Astana International Forum to unite efforts to address key global challenges.
The two-day event on June 8-9 in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana is envisioned as a global platform for dialogue that gives a voice to middle powers and prominent officials and experts whose ideas and opinions will be important to resolve the tasks facing the world today. Its theme this year is “Tackling challenges through dialogue: Towards cooperation, development and progress.”
A key objective of the forum is to advance multilateralism, international cooperation and dialogue. This year, the AIF has brought together over 1,000 participants and more than 100 speakers from all over the world for more than 40 panels, side events and sessions.
Media Contact
Organization: Astana International Forum
Contact Person: Astana International Forum Team
Website: https://astanainternationalforum.org/
Email: info@astanainternationalforum.org
Country: Kazakhstan
Release Id: 0806234012