Kazakhstan’s Policies to Utilize Its Transit Potential Presented during ITF Day at OECD
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Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to International Organizations in Paris Askar Abdrakhmanov spoke at the International Transport Forum (ITF) Day at the headquarters of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The event gathered Ambassadors of OECD member and partner states, senior management and competent experts of the two organizations engaged in discussions of the relevant issues of development of the global mobility system, the expansion of the "hard" and "soft" infrastructures of the international cargo traffic, measures for digitalization and decarbonization of transports, etc.
In his opening remarks, Secretary General of the ITF Kim Young Tae focused on multilateral efforts within the organization to generate relevant research and policy recommendations for the development of the global and regional transport networks.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann noted the close work of experts from the two organizations on elaborating approaches to planning the transport infrastructure investments, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools, and to strengthen the resilience of the transport infrastructure to natural disasters and other threats.
We are working together to help countries in Central and Southeast Asia to advance their decarbonization efforts as part of the Sustainable Infrastructure Program in Asia (SIPA), that governs the scale up the industry and energy infrastructure investments and shifting towards lower emissions and resilient development pathways aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement," Mathias Cormann said.
Speaking at the session "Connectivity in Times of Crisis", Ambassador Abdrakhmanov briefed the meeting attendees on the measures undertaken in Kazakhstan to further develop the transport infrastructure and the international freight transportation.
Astana’s efforts to develop transport cooperation with all the neighboring states and use the potential of both traditional and previously less developed routes were emphasized.
In particular, the beginning of the construction of second tracks on the "Dostyk - Moynty" railway section from the border of Kazakhstan and China, a container hub and dredging in the seaports of Aktau and Kuryk, a new "Darbaza - Maktaral" railway line with further access through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the functioning of the eastern branches of the North-South corridor were highlighted.
Special attention paid to the work of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), widely known as the Middle Corridor, and statistics on the growth of its key indicators. The recent creation by the interested governments of a joint venture designed to become a single operator of cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor and the TITR Coordination Platform with the participation of the states of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, and the European Commission were mentioned.
The current geopolitical situation has created new economic and logistical challenges for Kazakhstan and other countries in the region, and the answers to them lie in closer cooperation with our neighbors and international partners," the Kazakh diplomat said.
The sessions of the ITF Day at OECD featured engaging discussions and exchange of views and experiences in addressing relevant issues of the sustainable development of the transport industry at the global and regional levels, further strengthening the ITF’s role in elaborating efficient policy recommendations and producing high-quality international standards in this area, taking into account the measures for further decarbonization and digitalization of transport, strengthening and practical implementation of the international transit potential of the nations, especially the landlocked ones, etc.
The International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD is an intergovernmental organization with 69 member countries. It acts as a think tank for transport policy and organizes the annual summit of transport ministers. The ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. The ITF is administratively integrated with the OECD, yet politically autonomous. Kazakhstan has been a member of the ITF since 2017.
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Kazakhstan and the United States Strengthen Cooperation in the Field of Disarmament and Non-proliferation
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Yerlan Alimbayev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN in Geneva, met with Mallory Stewart, the United States Assistant Secretary of State, to discuss upcoming events in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation at the UN Geneva platform, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The parties exchanged assessments of the current situation in the Conference on Disarmament and discussed the priorities of both countries ahead of the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is scheduled to be held from July 22 to August 2, 2024 in Geneva, under the chairmanship of Akan Rakhmetullin, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.
They also touched upon certain issues of promoting initiatives of Kazakhstan and the United States in the field of artificial intelligence in the military sphere, peaceful use of outer space, export control, assistance to victims of nuclear tests and biological safety, including the promotion of the Kazakh initiative to establish an International Agency for Biological Safety/Security within the UN.
Following the meeting, the interlocutors agreed to continue dialogue and consultations in Geneva, New York, Astana and Washington, as well as to ensure constructive interaction with other participants of the Preparatory Committee to achieve practical results.
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Strengthening Safety of Journalists Discussed in Almaty
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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko took part in a regional event of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the safety of journalists titled "Beyond the Headlines: Protecting Journalists to Advance Media Freedom", press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The Office of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro hosted the event. Among attendees were representatives of the media, academia and civil society from Central Asia and Mongolia.
During the meeting, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) presented to the participants national tools and initiatives related to the safety of journalists, including recommendations developed by the Office - "OSCE RFoM Safety of journalists Toolbox" and "Guidelines for monitoring online violence against female journalists".
Teresa Ribeiro noted the importance of holding such events, which serve as a platform for an open exchange of views on positive initiatives aimed at strengthening the safety of journalists as the most important foundation for media freedom, democracy and security.
Roman Vassilenko stated that since Kazakhstan’s independence, the development of multifaceted cooperation with the OSCE and within the Organization has been one of the strategic priorities of our country’s foreign policy.
It was stressed that cooperation with the OSCE fully corresponds to the conceptual vision of Kazakhstan’s development in implementing the reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. While going through the systemic transformation, Kazakhstan takes into account the best practices and recommendations of international organizations such as the United Nations and the OSCE.
In this regard, the Kazakh diplomat thanked Ribeiro for the expert recommendations developed by the Office of the Representative for Freedom of the Media to the draft law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Mass Media", which was signed by the Head of State on June 19, 2024.
Deputy Minister Vassilenko highlighted that free and independent media are of fundamental importance for sustainable development, protection of human rights and strengthening of democracy. According to him, the safety of journalists is a prerequisite for the exercise of the universal and inalienable right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kanat Iskakov, emphasized in his remarks the firm commitment of the country’s leadership to continue creating the most favorable conditions for journalists, establishing and strengthening the legal framework for protecting freedom of speech, and ensuring the safety of journalists. He provided detailed information about the provisions introduced by the new Law on Mass Media, which, according to him, "fully complies with all international standards, as well as the hopes and aspirations of the Kazakhstan’s journalistic community." Iskakov highlighted the commitment to maintain close cooperation with the Office of the OSCE RFoM and journalists to strengthen their safety, including at the regional level.
As an outcome of the event, the parties agreed to continue the constructive partnership between the OSCE and Kazakhstan, in particular, in the implementation of systemic measures taken by the Government of Kazakhstan to protect freedom of speech and improve the legal guarantees of journalists.
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Kazakhstan and Russia Discussed Co-operation on Latin American Direction
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Consultations on Latin American issues at the level of department directors were held within the framework of the Plan of Measures on Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation for 2023-2024, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The Kazakh side was headed by Ruslan Urazalin, Director of the Department of America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and the Russian side was headed by Aleksander Shchetinin, Director of the Latin American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
During the consultations, the sides shared their experience in the field of co-operation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, exchanged views on a wide range of issues on the regional agenda, and agreed to continue the practice of regular consultations between the foreign ministries.
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History of Strengthening of the Kazakh Statehood Aroused High Interest of Poland
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As part of deepening cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and Poland, “Uly dala tany” (“Dawn of the Great Steppe”) by director Akan Satayev was screened in the European capital, showing viewers the history of the strengthening of Kazakh statehood, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, figures of socio-political and business circles of Poland, as well as students of Kazakhstan.
In his welcoming speech, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Poland Alim Kirabayev drew attention to the main milestones in the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Poland, going back to the Middle Ages, and emphasized that the promotion of historical films significantly contributes to the understanding of cultural heritage, contributing to even greater rapprochement between the peoples of the two countries and enriching inter-civilizational dialogue.
After the film screening, the audience shared their impressions, noting the deep emotional response caused by the movie. In particular, the guests of the event emphasized the historically important events that led to the heyday of the Kazakh Khanate during the reign of khan Kasym.
The audience also noted that they learnt a lot about the ancient rich traditions and cultural peculiarities of the Kazakh people, including military strategies, customs and everyday life.
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Kazakhstan Develops Cooperation with the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
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Director of the Department of America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ruslan Urazalin during his visit to the Russian Federation held meetings with the Ambassadors of the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Guatemala and Salvador, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
During the talks, the sides discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, including organization of bilateral visits, holding political consultations, expansion of the treaty-legal base, exchange of mutual support within the framework of multilateral structures and facilitation of visa regime with the countries of the region.
It was also agreed to further maintain permanent contacts to expand the areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Kazakhstan and OSCE Confirm Course Towards Constructive Interaction and Strengthening of Organization
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Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu had a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg as part of his official visit to Astana, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The officials discussed the current situation within the OSCE and its internal dynamics, exchanging views on potential avenues to enhance trust and restore constructive dialogue among its participating States.
Murat Nurtleu underscored the indispensability of the OSCE as a key negotiation platform for resolving crises in the Organization’s area of responsibility. He assured that Kazakhstan will continue contributing to the bolstering of the OSCE and supporting the Chairperson-in-Office’s efforts in the spirit of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the 2010 Astana Declaration.
The principles of Astana Declaration, adopted fourteen years ago, from year to year retain their importance without losing its relevance. Today Valletta presides over the organization and responsibly fulfills this mission," said the head of the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan.
In his turn, Ian Borg presented Malta’s priorities at the helm of the OSCE, emphasizing efforts aimed at strengthening the Organization’s stability towards a safe and peaceful future.
The parties also reviewed cooperation on issues such as combating international terrorism and extremism, illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons, illegal migration, and border security. They also touched upon enhancing transportation connectivity and addressing environmental issues in the Central Asian region.
Their discussions also focused on further constructive interaction between Kazakhstan and Organization institutions, including the OSCE Program Office in Astana, in implementing joint projects aimed at promoting systemic reforms and sustainable development in Kazakhstan.
With respect to bilateral cooperation, the sides highlighted promising areas such as maritime logistics, trade, and tourism.
The OSCE Chair-in-Office expressed his support for President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s course towards establishing a "Just and Fair Kazakhstan" and highly appreciated the country’s contribution to regional stability and security. He emphasized the critical need for more active participation and cooperation amid numerous crises within the OSCE’s area. In this regard, Ian Borg expressed readiness to further strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan across all three dimensions of OSCE security: politico-military, the economic and environmental, and the human dimensions.
Following the talks, the two ministers agreed to maintain regular dialogue both bilaterally and within regional platforms.
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