Astana, December 15, 2023 – At the initiative of the UK side, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu had a telephone conversation with David Cameron, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs.
During the call, the two sides discussed strengthening political, trade, and economic ties, as well as cooperation within the multilateral institutions.
Minister Nurtleu confirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to enhancement of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom and invited Secretary Cameron to visit Astana.
The parties emphasized that the signing of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in the near future will elevate bilateral cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
The Kazakh Foreign Minister highlighted that the extensive political and economic reforms implemented by the President of Kazakhstan create a new prospects for expanding relations between the two states.
The ministers also exchanged views on topical international issues and discussed further plans for bilateral cooperation.
Berlin, 14 December 2023 – During his working visit to Berlin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko, met with Matthias Lüttenberg, the Commissioner for Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia at the German Federal Foreign Office.
During the meeting, held in the spirit of mutual understanding and open dialogue, the sides discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral, regional and international agenda, including a number of proposals on the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level during this year.
The Kazakh diplomat highly appreciated the dynamics of bilateral relations in 2023: “The mutual visits of the presidents of our two countries – Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Kazakhstan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Germany – as well as the negotiations between our countries' foreign ministers – Murat Nurtleu and Annalena Baerbock – gave a serious impetus to the development of political dialogue”.
In turn, Lüttenberg a positively assessed the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany and expressed readiness to work on strengthening the strategic regional partnership within the framework of the adopted Joint Statement of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany.
During the negotiations, special attention was paid to climate change issues. Thus, the interlocutors agreed that the climate agenda in the Central Asian region is currently becoming particularly relevant, due to the deterioration of the environmental situation, the growing shortage of water resources, and drought, which has a negative impact on the entire region.
Roman Vassilenko informed the German partners about Kazakhstan's renewed national commitments under the Low Carbon Development Strategy, decarbonization efforts towards achieving the Paris Agreement objectives, and biodiversity conservation. He mentioned Kazakhstan's recent participation in the World Climate Summit COP-28 in the UAE and joining the Global Commitment to reduce methane emissions.
The German side showed interest to initiatives of the Head of our State to establish a Central Asian Project Office for Environmental Protection and to host the Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under the UN's aegis.
Lüttenberg noted Kazakhstan's accession to the Climate Club, invited by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as a positive example of the evolving cooperation in this domain. The parties also positively assessed a number of cooperative environmental projects within the framework of the German Green Central Asia initiative.
On the meeting was also discussed the development of co-operation in the energy sector.
In the transport and logistics sector, the growing role of the “Middle Corridor” has been noted, which is the shortest route for the supply of goods and products from Central and East Asia to Europe.
The diplomats of the two countries expressed satisfaction with the observed positive dynamics of mutual trade turnover.
On the same day, Roman Vasilenko visited the leading German scientific and analytical center, the Foundation for Science and Politics (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik).
During the conversation with the director of the foundation, Stefan Major, topical issues of the international agenda were discussed, including regional security, commodity cooperation, and the development of trade and energy ties between Kazakhstan and Germany.
The sides exchanged views on the development of cooperation between the Central Asian states, Kazakhstan's initiatives and promising areas of cooperation with Germany.
Prospects for further deepening the Fund's interaction with analytical centers in Kazakhstan were discussed.
For reference: The Foundation for Science and Policy (SWP) is one of Europe's largest analytical centers in security policy, international and European politics.
It provides research-based advice to the Bundestag and the Federal Government of Germany and offers services to political decision-makers in international organizations – the EU, NATO and the UN.
The SWP employs approximately 200 staff members and collaborates with visiting researchers, fellows and interns.
New York, December 18, 2023 – At the initiative of Kazakhstan, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
The initiative to proclaim the International Year of Volunteers was initiated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev from the UN rostrum during the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in 2020.
Kazakhstan tabled this resolution together with the group of like-minded countries from all regions of the world – Armenia, Bolivia, Germany, Kenya and Kiribati. 54 UN member countries joined the co-sponsorship of the document.
Activities within the the international year will give a strong impetus to the volunteer movement at the national, regional and global levels, will further strengthen international cooperation on volunteerism and will shape key directions for its future development.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches special importance to the development of volunteerism in our country, considering it one of the important components of building a Just Kazakhstan.
According to the President, volunteers – true patriots of their country – put moral values above all else and play an exceptional role in strengthening a reliable partnership between the state and society. Noting that selflessness and mercy are qualities inherent in the Kazakh people, President Tokayev has repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing these qualities in the younger generation.
At the initiative of the Head of State, 2020 was declared the Year of the Volunteer in Kazakhstan, and a Road Map for the Development of Volunteering in Kazakhstan for 2021-2023 was adopted. As a result of the measures taken, the number of volunteers in the country has reached 200 thousand people. Kazakhstani youth serve as UN volunteers in several countries of the world.
On July 20-21, 2023, the International Volunteer Forum was held in Astana, with the participation of the Head of State, senior UN representatives and volunteers from more than 30 countries, which reaffirmed the important role of our country in the global volunteer movement.
Astana, December 22, 2023 – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu receives the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Kazakhstan Mohammed Al Ariqi.
During the meeting, the parties discussed topical issues of Kazakh-Emirati cooperation and interaction between our countries within the framework of international organizations. They noted the high dynamics and content of the political dialogue at all levels and active development of trade, economic and investment cooperation.
The diplomats exchanged views on the implementation of bilateral agreements following the recent working visit of the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Dubai for participation in the COP28 climate summit.
In addition, Minister Nurtleu congratulated the Emirati Ambassador on being awarded the Order Dostyk of 2 degrees by the Head of State for his contribution to strengthening comprehensive cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UAE.
Astana, December 26, 2023 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted the final meeting of the Public Council under the MFA in the year 2023.
The meeting reviewed the results of the work of the Foreign Ministry in 2023 and approved the work plan of the Public Council in 2024. Chair of the Council – Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security of the Mazhilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aigul Kuspan and members of the Council, including representatives of civil society, scientific and human rights organizations attended the event.
In his report, Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko noted that the priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy were and remain focused on ensuring security and stability in the region, enhancing Kazakhstan’s role in regional and global politics, protecting and safeguarding national interests abroad. Kazakhstan will continue advocating for steadfast compliance with the UN Charter, international law and the principles of equality and democracy in international relations. He also mentioned the active work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in strengthening trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties with foreign countries, as well as tourism attractiveness of the country within the framework of expanding the international legal framework on mutual exemption from visa requirements. It should be noted that the list of visa-free countries has increased to 83 states for various types of passports, including 30 for national passports.
Special attention in the report was given to the work of the Consular Service, which directly interacts with the citizens of Kazakhstan. Due to natural disasters in Turkey and the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East in 2023, active work has been carried out to evacuate our citizens. As a result of intergovernmental efforts, 400 citizens together with their family members were safely evacuated and transferred to Kazakhstan.
The Deputy Minister also informed the participants that the embassies of Kazakhstan abroad have reviewed more than 12,000 appeals, highlighting the effective work of diplomats related to 99.3% of positive decisions on the received appeals. Deputy Minister Vassilenko proposed to the members of the Public Council to conduct next year a public monitoring of the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan on reviewing citizens’ appeals.
During the discussion of the results of the work of the Council’s Committees on foreign economic activities, image promotion and human dimension, committee chairs reported on their activities over the past year and outlined their work plans for the next year.
During the discussion there was a productive exchange of views on further work of the Public Council. The members of the Council expressed their gratitude to the Ministry’s leadership for the work accomplished and welcomed MFA’s interest in close co-operation with the Public Council to improve the quality and efficiency of its work.
Dear representatives of foreign mass media!
On February 2, 2024, a regular meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (EIGC) and the International Digital Forum “Digital Almaty 2024: Industry X” will be held in Almaty.
The regular meeting will be attended by the heads of governments of Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Representatives of the Observer States to the EAEU, the CIS Secretary General and CEO of the Eurasian Development Bank are also invited to the event.
The agenda of the EIGC meeting, which is traditionally held in narrow and extended formats, covers a wide range of issues of trade and economic cooperation, technical regulation, the EAEU integrated information system and other relevant topics.
On February 2, Prime Ministers of EAEU countries will attend the plenary session of the annual Digital Almaty Forum. Traditionally, the forum is expected to be attended by prominent political and public figures, heads of large digital companies, IT business leaders and digital industry experts.
This year, also an international exhibition of thematic projects with the award ceremony “Digital Almaty Awards” will take place within the framework of this event.
For accreditation to cover abovementioned events the representatives of foreign media must submit an application by the following link before 06.00 pm Astana time on January 25, 2024: https://accr.sgork.kz:64778/user_login/?next=/application/ :
1) To obtain a login and password, it is necessary to send a list of representatives of foreign media according to the attached Form to the email address mfakzaccreditationkz@gmail.com;
2) After receiving the login and password, access to the above-mentioned application portal of the Accreditation Center will be provided. Instructions for filling in the data for accreditation are posted in the upper left corner of the portal.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- Bauyrzhan Alzhanov, tel.: +7 (7172) 72-01-11, mob.: +7 (777) 775004271 (WhatsApp, Telegram);
- Nurali Kamzabek, tel.: +7 (7172) 72-01-33, mob.: +7 (701) 7053047 (WhatsApp, Telegram).
At the abovementioned events following Press centers will operate: EIGC meeting – in the building of Rixos hotel (Seifullin Avenue, 506), Digital Almaty Forum – Pavilion 10 (media center) Atakent Exhibition Center (Timiryazev str 42).
Digital Bridge is the largest technology forum in Central Asia, which since 2018 has been traditionally held with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as leaders of global companies, top international and domestic experts in the field of IT innovations, venture investors from the entire region. The main theme of 2023 will be the role of artificial intelligence in the modern world: 'Artificial and Human Intelligence: The right balance.'
Over the course of four years, the forum has evolved into a significant and sought-after regional platform. It is expected that Digital Bridge 2023 will bring together over 20,000 participants, 300+ IT companies, 100+ investors and business angels, 250+ speakers, and 100+ startups from 15+ countries around the world.
The forum's headliners, globally renowned figures from the IT world, will be announced closer to the start of the forum; however, organizers promise to provide a particularly astonishing lineup this year. Additionally, a series of exhibitions will traditionally take place featuring corporations, robotics, IT schools, venture capital firms, regional IT hubs, and a job fair from prominent IT companies.
The organizers of Digital Bridge 2023 are the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the administration of the city of Nur-Sultan, and the international techno park Astana Hub.