By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – Kazakhstan has expressed concern for “the unpredictable and volatile situation” in eastern Ukraine and the frequent ceasefire violations, which have a direct impact on the civilian population. “These violations result indeaths and injuries, along with many humanitarian consequences,” said Ambassador Kairat Umarov, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to […]
Kazakhstan Pleads For Coordinated International Response To Security Challenges In Central Africa
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | NEW YORK (IDN) – Underlining interest in cross-border security challenges in Central Africa, as during UN Security Council presidency at the beginning of the year, Kazakhstan has stressed the importance of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), its work in the field of preventive diplomacy and mediation, as […]
Kazakhstan Promotes Sustainable Development Goals in Global Diplomacy and International Activities
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – When Kazakhstan took over the presidency of the UN Security Council in January 2018, it set out with a seven-point agenda: a world free of nuclear weapons; preventing and ending military confrontations at regional and global levels; making Central Asia a model for a regional zone of peace, […]
Kazakhstan Sets the Ball Rolling for the Landmark Interfaith Congress in Astana
By J Nastranis UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – “The holy scriptures of the Koran, Bible, Torah, the Bhagwad Geeta or the Lotus Sutra” underline “the vital importance to unite the efforts of political and religious leaders for the cause of security and stability across our planet,” said Kazakhstan’s Vice-Minister for Religious Affairs and Civil Society, Berik […]
Kazakh Peacemakers Exchange Experience with Indian Partners
ALMATY (IDN | KazInform) – Kazakhstan militaries are taking peacemaking training in New Delhi jointly with Indian colleagues. The classes are taking place at the UN Training Center. The Kazakhstani peacemakers came to New Delhi to study the Indian experience to apply it in missions. Upon arrival they familiarized with the general provisions, structure and […]
Central Asian Leaders Follow Up on Discussions During Kazakh Security Council Presidency
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – When Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke at a high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on ‘non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction: confidence-building measures’ on January 18, the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries attended the event. Kazakhstan convened the briefing in its capacity as the […]
Kazakhstan to Chair WTO Negotiations on Trade in Services
ASTANA (IDN | KazInform) – The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has on March 7 approved the candidacy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the chairmanship of the Special Session of the WTO Council for Trade in Service, reports Kazinform International News Agency citing a press release of the the Kazakh Ministry […]
Security Council Focuses on Afghanistan, Central Asian States
By J Nastranis UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – The 15-nation United Nations Security Council has reiterated its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the Central Asian States. Before debating the pressing challenges ahead, the Council adopted a presidential statement on January 19, expressing its continued support to the UN Secretary‑General’s call […]
Astana Economic Forum Focuses on Sustainable Energy
By Ramesh Jaura
This is the sixth in a series of articles from Kazakhstan which being geographically located both in Asia and Europe, considers itself a Eurasian country. The articles are based on information gathered during a visit from June 7 to June 15 on the occasion of the opening of EXPO 2017 in Astana. Video clips accompany the articles in this series. – The Editor
BERLIN | ASTANA (IDN) – Renewable energy and green economy as well as sustainable economic growth, world trade and infrastructure were the principal themes of the recent Astana Economic Forum (AEF) that is widely acknowledged as a platform for dialogue on issues related to economic development in Central Asia and the world at large.
Though an annual event held in the capital of Kazakhstan since 2008, the Forum held on June 15-16 distinguished itself in more than one way. Over 4,000 participants from 100 countries participated in the tenth Astana Economic Forum that focused on ‘New Energy – New Economy’.