The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in joint effort with the Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted today an international conference entitled “The Republic of Kazakhstan in Modern System of International Relations.” The event was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic service and was held with the participation of the leadership of Foreign Ministry, the acting and retired diplomats, representatives of government agencies, international organizations, and reputable think tanks, Delovoy Kazakhstan reports.
On July 2, 1992, the Regulation “On the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” was approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since 2007, this date has been celebrated as the Day of Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Opening the event, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi read out a congratulatory telegram from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The letter noted that the 30th anniversary of the national diplomatic service coincided in time with the critically important period of the beginning of shaping the New Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for securing the best possible international environment for the development of the country at the new stage.
“The main task of diplomats is to raise the status of our country in the world, ensure international security, and protect the rights and interests of our citizens abroad,” stresses the President in his address.
At the same time, in his remarks, Tileuberdi noted the key achievements of Kazakhstan’s diplomacy, among which are the international legal consolidation of the state border along its entire length, the voluntary renunciation of nuclear weapons and a remarkable contribution to strengthening the international nuclear nonproliferation regime, successful chairmanship in the OSCE and holding its historic Astana Summit, election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
This year, Kazakhstan will host the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and the VI Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, while also participating in the work of the UN Human Rights Council.
“Particular attention is paid to economic diplomacy and public policy to attract foreign investment. Since 30 years ago, our country has become a regional hub for investors, having attracted more than US$ 380 billion of foreign direct investment into the country’s economy. By the end of 2021, the commissioning of 44 investment projects with international participation totaling US$ 3.67 billion with the creation of more than 6,000 jobs,” said Tileuberdi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kazakh SSR and the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1989-1991, Akmaral Arystanbekova highlighted the peculiarities of the formation of an independent foreign policy of our republic in the context of the adoption of the Declaration on State Sovereignty on October 25, 1990. According to her, it is important to study systematically the heritage of Kazakh diplomacy “in order to secure the historical continuity and educate the younger generation in the interests of history, patriotism and gratitude to the past generations of Kazakh diplomats for their hard work in service to their nation.”
Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Aigul Kuspan, Executive Director of CICA Secretariat Kairat Sarybay, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Bagdad Amreev, President of the International Turkic Academy Darkhan Kydyrali, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security Yerlan Baidaulet, outstanding Kazakh historians and political analysts also addressed the conference.
Director of the UN Office in Geneva Tatiana Valovaya, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Special Representative of the People’s Republic of China Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui, Rector of the MGIMO University Anatoly Torkunov, Deputy Chairman of Turkiye’s Justice and Development Party Numan Kurtulmush, prominent American political analyst Ariel Cohen sent their video messages. Their addresses featured warm wishes on the anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry and recognition of the good qualities of the Kazakh diplomatic school.
