Askar Mamin holds talks with Prime Minister of Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin
Topical issues of interaction in the format of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as joint measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the consequences of the pandemic for the economies of the two countries were considered.
On November 2, 2021, Prime Minister Askar Mamin held talks with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin as part of his working trip to Moscow, primeminister.kz reports.
The heads of government discussed the prospects for further building up Kazakh-Russian cooperation in trade and economic, financial and investment, transit and transport, agricultural, petrochemical, energy, space spheres, as well as projects within the framework of industrial cooperation.
Topical issues of interaction in the format of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as joint measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the consequences of the pandemic for the economies of the two countries were considered.
Askar Mamin noted the high dynamics of the development of trade and economic relations and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia against the background of the active recovery of the national economies of the two countries.
For 8 months of this year the trade turnover between the countries increased by 27% to $14.7 billion. By the end of 2021, the parties intend to bring this figure to $20 billion.
In the first half of 2021, the volume of direct investments of the Russian Federation in the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan increased by 17% and amounted to $704.9 million. More than 10 thousand enterprises with the participation of Russian capital operate in Kazakhstan, which is 36.1% of the total number of enterprises with foreign participation. In the field of industrial cooperation, 8 joint large projects worth $1.7 billion are being implemented.
At the Coordination Center of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mamin and Mishustin discussed issues of advanced development of transport infrastructure, strengthening the transit potential of the two countries and regional transport interconnection, incl. within the corridors of Western Europe - Western China, North - South and other routes in the EAEU space. The reports of the Vice Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Berik Kamaliyev and the Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Vitaly Savelyev, Chair of the Board of JS NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Nurlan Sauranbayev and General Director - Chair of the Board of JSC Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov were heard.
For 9 months of this year, 599.5 thousand TEUs were transported through Kazakhstan and Russia in the directions of Central Asia, Europe, the Far East, which is 37% more than the same period in 2020. The volume of transit container traffic in the direction of China-Europe-China amounted to 493.5 thousand TEU (+38%).
The negotiations were attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation Yermek Kosherbayev, Chair of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms Kairat Kelimbetov, Minister of Trade and Integration Bakyt Sultanov, Minister of Energy Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Chair of the Board of Samruk-Kazyna JSC Almasadam Satkaliev and others.
Source: Kazinform
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One Water Summit: President Tokayev calls for joint measures to enhance water security
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the opening ceremony of the One Water Summit ongoing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the press service of Akorda.
The President expressed his gratitude to France, Saudi Arabia and the World Bank Group for the assistance in organization of the event. He also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for hosting this joint event in Riyadh.
Addressing the Summit, the Head of State noted that water security underlies sustainable development, economic progress and environmental protection.
He said that more than 2 billion people around the world still lack access to quality drinking water, and more than 4 billion face severe water scarcity.
Today's challenges require a unified global response to ensure a sustainable future for all," said the Kazakh President.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to His Royal Highness for his just announced plan to help all regions and countries facing the problems I have mentioned. Kazakhstan, being a landlocked country with a vast territory, clearly understands the true value of water. We know firsthand that water is not an endless resource. It is important to conserve water like the apple of our eye. This is the only way the humanity will be able to achieve sustainable progress," he emphasized.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for joint measures to enhance water security.
All the people, in particular, vulnerable groups and nations living in remote areas, are entitled and must have access to safe drinking water that complies with sanitary requirements. Targeted investments in climate water infrastructure can transform entire regions, providing reliable access to clean water and contributing to sustainable growth. The accession of Kazakhstan to Freshwater Challenge global initiative, focused on ensuring universal access to clean water for all, proves our country’s commitment to these goals," said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
According to him, technological innovations and regulation are needed to protect water sources from industrial, chemical, agricultural and household pollution. Another important aspect in ensuring stable access to water is the development of water reservoirs’ capacity, preservation of glaciers and introduction of innovative irrigation systems.
The Kazakh President proposed to partner in studying and protecting glaciers by uniting global research centers.
He emphasized that glaciers play a vital role in the global water cycle, feeding rivers and lakes, providing water to nearly two billion people around the world.
We need to conduct joint research and develop a common policy to counter glacier loss and maintain water management strategies in the regions that need it," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The Kazakh President noted further that each year floods and droughts affect more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, severely impacting the lives of vulnerable groups of population, namely those living in small islands and coastal areas. The Kazakh President considers it a priority to develop early warning systems to reduce risks and protect the population.
He drew attention to the fact that water shortage threatens food and energy security as well as industrial growth. He emphasized that strategic investments in water-efficient agriculture and renewable energy sources may significantly improve economic resilience and reduce pressure on the environment.
Water has no boundaries. It connects communities and ecosystems. As the country presiding in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, Kazakhstan supports the promotion of regional cooperation and joint actions. In our opinion the countries standing at the forefront of the fight against climate change, should expand dialogue, develop international partnerships, and unite the resources to implement water projects. In pursuit of these goals, Kazakhstan is pleased to join the One Water Vision coalition, called to unite stakeholders to address the global water crisis and promote integrated water resources management. As part of these efforts, Kazakhstan, with the support of the United Nations, will hold the Regional Climate Conference in 2026," he said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reminded that water resources have been one of the global priorities in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Water security is not just a technical or environmental issue, it is a moral imperative. To address the water security problem requires the development of a multilateral dialogue based on the One Water principle. Kazakhstan is ready to make its contribution to the collective efforts to enhance global water resources management," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of France Emmanuel Macron, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, Co-Chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW) Johan Rockström, heads of state, heads of international organizations, communities and companies addressed the Summit.
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Kazakh PM holds operational meeting over situation in Ukraine
Images | primeminister.kz
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held an operational meeting today to fulfill the tasks of the Head of State to take urgent measures in order to ensure security at the key military and civilian objects over the situation in Ukraine involving the Defence, Interior, Emergencies, Foreign Affairs, Healthcare, Transport, Energy, Industry and Construction, National Economy, and Finance Ministries, Kazinform news Agency learnt from the Government’s press service.
Kazakh Defence Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov reported on the work to ensure the protection of the strategic and infrastructure objects. The Prime Minister set tasks to enhance the work of state bodies. Maintenance of stability, law and order, transport communication and critical infrastructure safety were prioritized at the meeting.
The Prime Minister assigned authorities to keep the execution of the Kazakh President’s tasks under control, to ensure security and to report on developments.
As earlier reported, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave the Prime Minister, the head of the Presidential Administration, heads of national security, defence and law enforcement agencies, and governors a task to take urgent measures to ensure the security of the basic military and civilian objects over the escalation of the situation in Ukraine.
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Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Belarus discuss trade and economic cooperation issues
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Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko held talks in Minsk. They discussed the implementation of agreements reached at the level of the Heads of State on the development of trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Attention was paid to industrial cooperation, agriculture with emphasis on projects on deep processing of wheat, construction industry, transport, IT-sector, tourism, primeminister.kz reports.
The volume of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Belarus for 8 months of this year amounted to $600 million. Flour products from Kazakhstan (10.2% share in exports), etc. are in demand in the Belarusian market. Positive dynamics is also observed in the sphere of road transport: for 9 months of this year the volumes increased by 19% and reached 450.6 thousand tonnes.
The governments of Kazakhstan and Belarus are working together to develop industrial cooperation. The total pool includes 14 projects worth $277.5 million with the creation of 1.8 thousand jobs. Of these, 11 joint ventures have already been launched in the regions of Kazakhstan for more than $200 million and 1.6 thousand jobs have been created. The factories assemble tractors, grain and forage harvesters, and trailed agricultural machinery. Three more projects are under implementation.
Special attention was paid to the export potential of Kazakhstani companies that manufacture railway products and have an opportunity to supply to Belarus the fasteners of sleepers with rails, fitting platforms, railway wheels, units and assemblies.
The talks resulted in the signing of a number of bilateral documents, including: Roadmap between the governments of Kazakhstan and Belarus on the development of trade and economic cooperation for 2025-2029, aimed at replenishing the pool of joint projects and establishing closer ties between the business community; Agreement on cooperation between JSC NC Kazakh Tourism and the National Agency for Tourism of the Republic of Belarus, providing for the exchange of experience in the field of ecological, skiing, rural, medical and children's tourism; Plan of measures for interaction in the field of cultural and humanitarian cooperation n
A visit to the Hi-Tech Park was also held in Minsk, where Olzhas Bektenov was presented digital projects being implemented in the areas of cloud technologies, cyber security, financial sector, etc.
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Central Asia is facing multiple climate-related risks, President Tokayev
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the World Leaders Climate Action Summit held within the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Akorda reports.
Kazakh leader Tokayev was the first to take the floor following the opening of a plenary session at the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit.
In his speech, the Kazakh President reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to global climate agenda and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the fight against climate change, recalling the country’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
President Tokayev pointed out that in order to achieve the tasks set it’s necessary to ensure access to predictable financing and latest technologies. The Kazakh leader stated that under the New Collective Quantified Goal it is important to draw special attention to regions, that are most vulnerable to climate change, including developing countries with no access to the sea.
Despite the fact that Central Asia is responsible for a mere 1% of total global emissions, the region is facing multiple climate-related risks. In order to increase the efficiency of the measures taken to address climate change, it is important to actively use advanced technologies such as AI, satellite monitoring as well as other digital instruments, allowing for early prevention and greater management of water and land resources, said the President.
Earlier it was reported that at the opening of the COP29 Climate Action Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a powerful message on the urgency of climate action.
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President Tokayev arrives at Baku Olympic Stadium to attend COP29 World Climate Action Summit
Images | Akorda
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has arrived at the Baku Olympic Stadium to participate in the COP29 World Climate Action Summit, Kazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
The Head of State was greeted by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and UN Secretary General António Guterres.
The Kazakh President will be the first to address the plenary session of the COP29 Summit, the press service of Akorda notes.
Recall that Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Baku on November 11 for a working visit, to participate in the COP29 World Climate Action Summit ongoing under the aegis of the UN Climate Change Conference.
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Head of State meets ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has met today President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa who arrived in Astana to participate in the 23rd Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, Kazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Masatsugu Asakawa on the 30th anniversary of the Kazakhstan-ADB fruitful cooperation.
The President said that Kazakhstan highly appreciates strategic character of interaction with the ADB and its contribution to the implementation of major infrastructure projects and strengthening the national financial system.
From 1994 to 2024, the ADB has financed $7 billion worth projects in Kazakhstan. In particular, the ADB was involved in the construction of the Western Europe- Western China international transport corridor and reconstruction of Aktobe - Kandyagash highway.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of further joint activity in the new priority areas. According to him, Kazakhstan continues working on economic liberalization, improvement of investment climate and creation of conditions to unlock the country’s economic potential. Decarbonization of the economy was named by the President as one of promising areas.
In turn, Masatsugu Asakawa said that the ADB welcomes Kazakhstan’s success in economic reforms and sustainable development. He assured that the ADB is ready to continue close cooperation, including participation in major projects, aimed at infrastructure modernization, social sphere improvement and investment climate strengthening.
An agreement on financing the Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan highway construction project is set to be signed during the ADB President’s visit to Kazakhstan.
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Olzhas Bektenov discusses investment cooperation with ADB head and representatives of CAREC countries
Images | primeminister.kz
On behalf of the Head of State, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov took part in the 23rd Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Programme (CAREC), held in Astana under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan. The goal is to expand interaction among the Programme's member countries and international financial institutions in shaping the integrated and sustainable development of the Central Asian region, primeminister.kz reports.
The CAREC Program is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank and is implemented in partnership with leading international financial institutions. The conference was attended by Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa, CAREC Institute Director Kabir Jurazoda, European Commission Director for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Péteris Ustubes, representatives of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and other financial institutions, as well as government delegations from South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Interaction of the states in the field of economic and financial stability, infrastructure development, trade, energy, water resources, decarbonisation, etc. was discussed.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov noted the relevance of the Programme for the Central Asian region. For more than 20 years, about $51 billion has been invested in the region, of which over $9 billion has been directed to projects in Kazakhstan.
We will continue to work closely with international financial institutions and CAREC member countries to achieve common objectives. We aim to develop the agro-industrial complex with a focus on deep processing and increasing the share of processed products, actively changing the structure of exports and increasing their volumes. We are also interested in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects to ensure transport connectivity and energy sustainability of the Central Asian states. I urge the countries of the region and international financial organisations to join efforts to implement joint projects," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.
In turn, President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa noted that CAREC sees taking decisive action to combat climate change, building a sustainable infrastructure with early warning systems, as well as the development of digital transformation and innovation among the priorities.
The conference focused on initiatives aimed at developing human capital and improving the quality of life of the population.
At the end, an agreement on the CAREC Climate and Sustainable Development Project Preparation Facility was signed.
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