Geological Seminar in Florence Marks the 125th Anniversary of Academic Kanysh Satpayev

Florence, 29 November, 2024 - Today, Florence hosted the seminar titled “Mineral Resources and the Mining Activities of Kazakhstan”, dedicated to the 125th anniversary of Kanysh Satpayev, an outstanding geologist, academician, and the first President of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Organised by the Tuscany Geology Foundation and the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in the region, the seminar highlighted Kazakhstan’s mineral resources sector, rare earth metals, and their investment potential.

Speakers included Tuscany Geology Foundation President Elisa Livi, President of the Regional Business Association of Tuscany Maurizio Bigazzi, Italian Member of the European Parliament Francesco Torselli, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Tuscany Federico Albini, President of the Italy-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce Marco Beretta, and a representative of Italy’s leading energy company, Enel Green Power, Giampaolo Vecchieschi, and others.

Chairman of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa and Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanché addressed the event online, emphasizing the strong trade and economic potential for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy.

From Kazakhstan, Ambassador to Italy Yerbolat Sembayev welcomed participants and presented a book on Kanysh Satpayev. Additional speakers included Deputy Chairman of the Board of “National Geological Service” Kadyr Shabanbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of “Kazakh Invest” Madiyar Sultanbek, and Kazakh Invest’s representative in Italy, Altynai Mukanova.

In his remarks, Ambassador Sembayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in Central Asia as a leading global producer of energy resources and agricultural products, attracting significant foreign investment while offering exceptional conditions for business.

“Kazakhstan plays a key role in freight transportation through the ‘Middle Corridor,’ also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, connecting Asia with the European Union. This route creates new trade and investment opportunities, reducing shipping time through the Indian Ocean by nearly half. Eighty percent of overland transit between Asia and Europe passes through Kazakhstan,” - emphasized Ambassador Sembayev.

He also addressed Kazakh-Italian relations, noting that Italy is Kazakhstan’s top trading partner in Europe and its third-largest trading partner globally.

“Last year, trade turnover between our countries reached $16 billion, the highest in nine years. Since independence, Italian investments in Kazakhstan have exceeded $9 billion. Today, around 300 Italian companies operate in Kazakhstan, including major investors such as ENI, SDF Group, PetroValves, Maire Tecnimont, IVECO, and Tenaris,” the Ambassador added.

During the seminar, Ambassador Sembayev presented the illustrated book Kanysh Satpayev: Strength and Ability for People by Kazakh author Berik Barysbekov. Highlighting Satpayev’s legacy, Sembayev underscored his immense contribution to the development of science in Kazakhstan.

“Kanysh Satpayev’s name is known to every Kazakh. It is no coincidence that April 12, his birthday, is officially recognised in Kazakhstan as Science Workers’ Day. Satpayev not only transformed Kazakh science but also influenced key events that fundamentally shaped the nation’s path,” Sembayev stated.

He gifted the book on Kanysh Satpayev to the Tuscany Geology Foundation.

The seminar also featured presentations on key raw material development prospects in Kazakhstan, including rare and rare earth metals, delivered by Kadyr Shabanbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Geological Service. Madiyar Sultanbek and Altynai Mukanova of Kazakh Invest discussed investment opportunities in the rare and rare earth metals sector and Kazakhstan’s broader investment potential.

Italian speakers praised the potential for bilateral cooperation, highlighting Italy’s readiness for business and investment partnerships with Kazakhstan, particularly in mineral resources. Italian MEP Francesco Torselli emphasized the importance of collaboration between Italy and both Kazakhstan and Central Asia, noting that the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union should further bolster mutually beneficial relations.