Central Asia

Photo: EXPO2017 World Exhibition grounds, the venue of 'Astana Economic Forum' transformed to 'The Global Challenges Summit' in May 2018 – one of Kazakhstan's eminent international activities

Kazakhstan Promotes Sustainable Development Goals in Global Diplomacy and International Activities

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (IDN) – When Kazakhstan took over the presidency of the UN Security Council in January 2018, it set out with a seven-point agenda: a world free of nuclear weapons; preventing and ending military confrontations at regional and global levels; making Central Asia a model for a regional zone of peace, security, cooperation, and development; reaching peace and security in Africa; fighting international terrorism and violent extremism; advancing the nexus between security and development; and adapting the UN system to the needs of the 21st century.

This ambitious work programme reflected the letter and spirit of the United Nations' Agenda for Sustainable Development which is eminently summed up in Goal 16 dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

: J Nastranis; THE WORLD; Central Asia; 21 May 2018

Photo: Panelists in the April 24 event, including Kazakh Vice-Minister Berik Aryn (extreme left), UNAOC High Representative Al-Nasser (centre), and Ambassador Kairat Umarov, the Kazakh Permanent Representative to the UN (third from right at the back). Credit: Kazakh Permanent Mission to the UN Headquarters in New York.

Kazakhstan Sets the Ball Rolling for the Landmark Interfaith Congress in Astana

By J Nastranis

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – "The holy scriptures of the Koran, Bible, Torah, the Bhagwad Geeta or the Lotus Sutra" underline "the vital importance to unite the efforts of political and religious leaders for the cause of security and stability across our planet," said Kazakhstan's Vice-Minister for Religious Affairs and Civil Society, Berik Aryn, in a keynote address at an event organized by the Kazakh Permanent Mission to the UN in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

He was speaking on behalf of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Kazakhstan’s interfaith initiative launched in 2003.

: J Nastranis; THE WORLD; Central Asia; 30 April 2018

Photo: Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Kazakh Permanent Representative to the UN, addressing the Security Council. Credit: Kazinform

Air Strikes in Syria Perturb Host of Astana Peace Process

By Santo D. Banerjee

NEW YORK (IDN) – Kazakhstan, host to eight rounds of Syria peace talks in its capital city of Astana until December 2017, has warned against further military escalation in the wake of air strikes conducted by the United States, France and UK, adding that "whatever action taken under whatever good pretext can't and will not justify the military use of force."

Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country to be elected to the Security Council as non-permanent member for a two-year period (2017-2018). It was also the first Central Asian state to chair the Council in January 2018.

: Santo D. Banerjee; UN INSIDER; 15 April 2018

Kazakh Peacemakers Exchange Experience with Indian Partners

ALMATY (IDN | KazInform) – Kazakhstan militaries are taking peacemaking training in New Delhi jointly with Indian colleagues. The classes are taking place at the UN Training Center.

The Kazakhstani peacemakers came to New Delhi to study the Indian experience to apply it in missions. Upon arrival they familiarized with the general provisions, structure and principles of the UN work.

: UN Bureau; THE WORLD; Central Asia; 09 April 2018

Kazakhstan Supports Proposals Discussed by UN Disarmament Commission

By J Nastranis

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – Amid global anxieties about nuclear peril, Kazakhstan has joined representatives of several countries around the world in calling on the international community to work together through inclusive dialogue that takes into account the views of other States.

The general debate in the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) on April 2, 2018 also heard delegates expressing frustration over the lack of progress in implementing disarmament obligations by nuclear-weapon States and calling on them to reduce or eliminate their arsenals, while highlighting the three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

: J Nastranis; UN INSIDER; 05 April 2018

Photo: Central Asian Presidents meeting in Astana on 15 March 2018. Credit: The Astana Times

Central Asian Leaders Follow Up on Discussions During Kazakh Security Council Presidency

By Santo D. Banerjee

NEW YORK (IDN) – When Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke at a high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 'non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction: confidence-building measures' on January 18, the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries attended the event. Kazakhstan convened the briefing in its capacity as the Council President for the month of January.

: Santo D. Banerjee; THE WORLD; Central Asia; 19 March 2018

Kazakhstan to Chair WTO Negotiations on Trade in Services

ASTANA (IDN | KazInform) – The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has on March 7 approved the candidacy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the chairmanship of the Special Session of the WTO Council for Trade in Service, reports Kazinform International News Agency citing a press release of the the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

According to the MFA, "Kazakhstan's chairmanship testifies to the WTO member states' confidence in the reforms aimed at creating a favourable investment climate and developing the services market in Kazakhstan conducted under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev."

: Asia Editor; THE WORLD; Central Asia; 08 March 2018

Photo: Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the UN, signing the Nuclear Ban Treaty on March 2. Credit: Abolition2000

Kazakhstan Signs Ban Treaty After Security Council Debut

By J Nastranis

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – Kazakhstan, known as an active and staunch supporter of a world free of nuclear weapons, became 57th country to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on March 2.

The Treaty, which opened for signature on September 20, 2017, will remain open indefinitely. It will enter into force 90 days after 50 nations have ratified or acceded to it. Until now, five states have ratified the Treaty: Guyana, Holy See and Thailand on September 20, 2017 immediately after signing. They were followed by Mexico on January 16 and Cuba on January 30.

: J Nastranis; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 05 March 2018

Photo: Kazakh President Nazarbayev. Credit: KazInform

Kazakh President Lauds China's Silk Road Initiative

By KazInform

ASTANA (IDN) – China's plans to establish the Silk Road Economic Belt, also known as the One Belt and One Road Initiative, are "great", according to President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, reports Kazinform international news agency.

In an interview aired by China's CCTV-13 channel, Nazarbayev stressed the importance of the state visit to Kazakhstan by Xi Jinping in 2013. It was then that the Chinese leader, in a speech at the Nazarbayev University, for the first time announced the global initiative to create the Silk Road Economic Belt.

: Asia Editor; NEWSBRIEFS; 18 February 2018

Photo: Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN and President of the Security Council for the month of January, speaks to press following Security Council consultations on the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and other matters. 22 January 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Kazakh Security Council Presidency Elicits Praise

By Santo D. Banerjee

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – Kazakhstan has elicited praise for highlighting Afghanistan and Central Asia during its first ever presidency of the Security Council in the month of January. An end-of-the-month "wrap-up" session also reflected appreciation for putting spotlight on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and confidence building measures.

Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country to be elected to the 15-nation Security Council as a non-permanent member for the two-year period 2017-2018.

"Central Asia is represented on the Security Council for the first time in the history of the United Nations," said Council President Kairat Umarov, Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the UN.