Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu’s opening statement at the Central Asian Forum on Security and Cooperation “Asia in the Changing World: Agenda for the Future”
Opening statement at the Central Asian Forum on Security and Cooperation “Asia in the Changing World: Agenda for the Future”
(Astana, 13 July 2023)
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to welcome you all in Astana and cordially thank for attending the first Central Asian Forum on Security and Cooperation. This event has brought together many outstanding experts from various fields, and it’s an honor and pleasure to have you here.
I am confident that the upcoming discussions will contribute to a better understanding of the current geopolitical challenges and opportunities in Asia.
Before I proceed with my remarks, allow me to read out the following welcoming address by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
“Dear participants of the Forum,
I am glad to welcome you in our capital at such a landmark high-level event.
It is gratifying that the idea to hold this Forum has attracted great interest from intellectuals, experts and academics from leading international analytical centers.
In the current complex global environment, direct and open dialogue with the expert community has become an urgent necessity.
Today, the world is facing unprecedented challenges. We are witnessing a dangerous erosion of the very foundations of the international relations system, rising geostrategic tensions, and global economic uncertainty.
Widespread ecological imbalance and social inequality caused dramatic consequences. Of particular concern are negative trends such as a lack of trust, ideological polarization, and information wars.
Any systemic crisis, however, in addition to creating a wide range of threats, also brings with it new unique opportunities, including for Central Asia.
It is therefore important for us to focus our efforts on seeking constructive ideas and effective approaches to building a more safer and just world.
Leading political scientists, economists, prestigious think tanks and research institutes are called upon to play a key role in this process.
High-profile specialists and experts can greatly contribute to strengthening the agency of our region on the international arena, as well as to fostering intraregional interaction and creative partnerships.
As we seek to comprehend our region’s mission in the modern world, we should, first of all, proceed from common intrinsic security interests and an unwavering aspiration towards comprehensive cooperation on the path toward sustainable progress.
It is not a coincidence that our country has unwaveringly stood by the formula “A successful Central Asia means a successful Kazakhstan.”
I do believe, an optimal model of sustainable regional development should be based on three interrelated elements: an effective public administration system, a competitive market economy and a socially responsible inclusive society.
I am confident that the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum will contribute to the consolidation of the region’s intellectual capital in the interests of our countries’ strengthened stability, solidarity, and sustainable development.
I wish you a fruitful work and new accomplishments!
Sincerely, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev” – end of message
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our world never has been a quiet place to live. However, challenges we face today are unprecedented and pose serious threat to the very existence of some nations.
Responding to these impediments, Kazakhstan is determined to continue pursuing a balanced, multi-vector, and constructive foreign policy. We also firmly advocate values and principles envisioned in the UN Charter and international law.
While Asia plays a crucial role in global affairs, both in terms of its economic potential and political influence, in some parts of the region we still have to talk about chronic conflicts, mutual distrust, and geopolitical rivalry. Moreover, challenges such as socio-economic disparities, border security, and extremism still undermine our collective efforts and well-being.
For its part, Kazakhstan has regularly put forward many initiatives aimed at ensuring Asia’s peaceful and long-term development. We do believe, investments in economic welfare, mutual cultural enrichment and education will pave the way for our social and economic prosperity, security and stability in the entire continent.
On the domestic front, under President Tokayev’s leadership we are building a Just and Fair Kazakhstan. The past few years are marked by successful implementation of large-scale and unprecedented reforms to improve our public administration system and create a fairer and more inclusive society. Our country has withstood major internal and external shocks, while our economy has become more liberal and vibrant.
Here, I would like to state that the Kazakh Government is committed to continue wide-ranging reforms. We fully realize that our society’s democratic transformation, as well as modernization of its economy, remain the best option for our nation’s ultimate success.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Central Asia is an integral and important part of Asia. It is a dynamically developing region with a population of 77 million people and a combined GDP of almost 350 billion dollars.
Kazakhstan promotes stronger regional interaction through various initiatives to unlock Central Asia’s economic, transport, logistics, trade and technological potential. Astana has no doubt that regional stability, prosperity and security can be achieved only through concerted action.
Here, we do hope, the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighborhood and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century will enter into force to bear fruit for the prosperity of the entire region. This vital document defines crucial avenues and mechanisms for expanding our long-term strategic partnership.
Along with our neighbors, we seek to strengthen Central Asia as a subject on the international arena. We also attach a great value to the effectiveness of the “Central Asia +” format, which facilitates a number of dialogue platforms between the region and outside actors such as Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and the United States.
We believe the notion of a new “Great Game” is outdated and should be consigned to history. Instead, Kazakhstan has coined the concept of a “Great Gain” for all to amplify existing opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Dear friends,
In line with its “Great Gain” concept, Kazakhstan seeks to transform Central Asia into a Eurasian transport and logistics hub. We are active supporters of all transcontinental transport corridors, both in North-South and East-West dimensions, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. Kazakhstan has a keen interest in merging strong partnership along the Middle Corridor to amplify existing untapped potential of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, and the G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
At the same time, our region faces its own set of challenges. In the context of today’s discussions, I would like to highlight several particular issues that require utmost attention for Central Asia’s future development: water and environment, border disputes, as well as the situation in Afghanistan.
Firstly, with a growing population and shortage of water resources, an issue of a fair and rational water management has turned into a matter of paramount importance.
For this reason, Kazakhstan proposed the establishment of a Regional Water and Energy Consortium.
Furthermore, our country is actively engaged in efforts to restore the Aral Sea via the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which we established with our Central Asian partners in early 1990s.
We also actively seek mutually acceptable agreement for our pressing issues on transboundary rivers with our neighbors beyond the region, including Russia, China and Afghanistan.
Secondly, regarding border disputes in Central Asia, we believe that peaceful negotiations can be the only solution. Kazakhstan has signed border agreements with all neighboring countries and is ready to share its experience.
I would also like to point out that the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed in Aktau in 2018, was a landmark achievement for Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
As President Tokayev stated last year during his speech at the UN General Assembly, “We must ensure that the Caspian Sea becomes a sea of peace and new opportunities.”
Thirdly, ensuring security in Central Asia also means bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan.
From our perspective, Afghanistan needs international support under the central coordinating role of the UN. We are confident that a united and inclusive Afghan government will lead to reconciliation and stability.
The achievement of peace in Afghanistan is a critical prerequisite not only for the future development of the entire Central Asia, but also for a stability both in Asia and Europe.
To this end, we have proposed establishing a UN Regional Hub for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As a staunch supporter of progress and development processes in Asia, Kazakhstan and its CICA partners stubbornly promote the idea of establishing a pan-Eurasian security system.
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, initiated by Kazakhstan in the 1990s, has garnered support from numerous countries and, with its 28 member states encompassing 90% of Asia, has become a major contributor to enhanced cooperation, peace, and stability on our continent.
In close partnership with all member-states of the CICA we gave a start to its transformation into a fully-fledged international organization, enabling deeper confidence-building measures across the continent.
I would also like to stress a substantial contribution to regional stability made by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
This year Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship in the SCO. In this capacity we shall focus on fostering economic and trade relations, ensuring energy security and protecting our environment, enhancing digital connectivity and humanitarian ties.
Dear participants,
Kazakhstan’s foreign policy priorities have always included active campaigning for global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. As you may be well aware, following the collapse of the Soviet Union our country possessed the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, comprised of approximately 1,200 nuclear warheads and 110 ballistic missiles. We voluntarily renounced these weapons in early 1990s.
In cooperation with our immediate neighbors, we established the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, and it is our firm belief that such zones should be expanded to other regions, especially in Asia.
We also continue to advocate for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the universality of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and the further expansion of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. I would like to underscore that Kazakhstan is pushing for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons by 2045.
In addition, President Tokayev’s initiative to establish the International Agency for Biological Safety highlights our dedication to using biological developments solely for peaceful purposes. This initiative has gained even greater importance in the light of potential pandemic outbreaks.
Ladies and gentlemen,
With its economic and human resources potential, cultural diversity, and technological progress, Asia stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity in our interconnected world.
We also see Central Asia’s growing global role as a source of stability, interconnectivity, and security in the greater Asian continent and beyond.
Kazakhstan will continue to pursue a proactive mutually-beneficial approach to our region’s development in the face of emerging challenges and opportunities.
I thank you for your attention and wish you productive discussions.