Ypres and Semey: Twin Cities Together for Memory and Peace

Ypres, Belgium, 26 September 2025 – On the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, established by the UN General Assembly, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko visited the city of Ypres (Flanders region), the twin city of Kazakhstan’s Semey.

The highlight of the visit was the laying of a wreath together with Ypres Mayor Katrien Desomer at the monument to the victims of nuclear tests and man-made disasters, donated by Kazakhstan to Ypres in 2010. A minute of silence at the memorial emphasized the solidarity of Kazakhstan and Belgium in their commitment to peace and disarmament.

“For Kazakhstan, the issue of nuclear disarmament is not only a historical legacy but also an important guideline for the future. The experience of Semey reminds us that the pain of the past must serve as a lesson for building a world without nuclear weapons,” said the Ambassador.

At Mayor’s invitation, the Kazakh delegation also took part in the remembrance ceremony at the Menin Gate, held daily since 1928 in honor of those who fell in the First World War. This ceremony reminded that the value of peace is a shared responsibility uniting nations.

During the visit, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan and Mayor Katrien Desomer had a meeting. The parties discussed strengthening twin-city ties with Semey, developing cooperation in the fields of culture and education, as well as opportunities for collaboration in the areas of economy and sustainable development.

Roman Vassilenko also emphasized that the new initiatives set out in the State of the Nation Address of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev – such as the development of a green economy, digital technologies, and logistics – largely resonate with the priorities of Flanders, known for its accomplishments in agribusiness, innovation, and sustainable energy.

Mayor Katrien Desomer noted: “Ypres is a city of memory, which has endured the tragedies of war. For us, it is important that the partnership with Semey carries the idea of peace and cooperation. We see great potential in cultural and educational projects that can unite our cities.”

Special attention was also given to the cultural dimension of the twin-city partnership. On the occasion of the 180th anniversary of the great Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Kunanbayuly, the Ambassador presented a collection of Abai’s works in Flemish and French to Ypres City Hall for the city library, as a symbol of cultural exchange and spiritual affinity between our peoples.