The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan moved to a new building 15 years ago
On April 16, 2005, when opening the new building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the First President - Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev, emphasized the importance of this event for an independent Kazakhstan.
“This is a very important day in the history of our country. The new Foreign Ministry building on the left bank of the Ishim River should become a symbol of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. At the dawn of independence, the Foreign Ministry consisted of only 10 employees. There was practically no foreign policy in the country. We rebuilt it. Today, we have our highly qualified diplomats. Kazakhstan is represented in all countries of the world with which it has diplomatic relations, as well as in many international organizations”, said First President Nazarbayev, addressing those present at the official opening ceremony of the Foreign Ministry building.
The five-story, spacious building opposite the Baiterek Monument has a total area of 19,700 square meters, which includes three large conference rooms, specially equipped meeting rooms, comfortable offices, a museum, a library, an archive, a dining room and much more.
The construction of the strategic facility, which took 2.5 years, was personally supervised by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time. As an experienced career diplomat, he knew and understood perfectly well what functional significance the building and infrastructure should have for the fruitful work of Kazakhstan’s diplomats.
The Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan, together with all state bodies, moved to Astana in 1997 and was in the building of the former Moscow Hotel prior to the commissioning of the new building.
Fifteen years later, Kazakhstan became a country that firmly established its authority in the international community, demonstrating the consistent and peaceful nature of its foreign policy laid down by the First President of Kazakhstan - Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Observing the principle of continuity, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a new Concept of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy for 2020-2030 in March of this year.
“Since independence, our country has strengthened its position in the international arena, has established itself as a peaceful and open state and as a reliable partner in global and regional affairs. Kazakhstan is implementing a multi-vector, pragmatic and proactive foreign policy and makes a significant contribution to the formation and implementation of the global and regional agenda in the field of security, cooperation and development. At the same time, the main focus is on comprehensively and resolutely upholding the country’s national interests and constructively promoting foreign policy and foreign economic priorities” - emphasized in this document.
These goals and objectives are a key condition for building a strong, harmonious and socially responsible state, seamlessly integrated into the modern system of international relations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan - in the face of new challenges to the modern world including the COVID-19 pandemic is using the accumulated experience and professionalism of diplomats and is actively working to implement the provisions of the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020-2030.