Addressing the audience, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted the meeting is taking place in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence and the day of the country’s accession to the United Nations.
In his speech, the President dwelt upon the efforts taken by the government to ensure sustainable development and mentioned the issue of promoting security in the world.
The head of state said it has been 25 years since the fall of the Soviet Union and the bipolar world order.
Unfortunately, the mankind has failed to seize a unique historic moment to build a new global order. The world has not become more secure, stable and fair. The 21st century has brought lots of economic, environmental, geopolitical, resource and energy challenges. To address them we need profound and substantial changes in the way our planet develops,” he noted.
To this end, Nursultan Nazarbayev said, it is important to rethink the paradigm of global competitiveness that makes people, economies and countries oppose each other.
During the 70th session of the UN General Assembly I proposed to draft a 2045 Global Strategic Initiative Plan. The plan should be implemented step-by-step and completed by the 100th anniversary of the UN. The purpose of the plan is to eliminate the causes of conflicts and to launch a new development trend whereby all nations would have equal access to global infrastructure, resources and markets,” he added.
The President drew attention to the need of creating a new efficient international security system.
The role of the UN and its Security Council in resolving conflicts should be enhanced. It’s a high time for the UN Charter to be modernized, but with basic international norms preserved. The countries’ compliance with international law and their commitments are still the cornerstone of the current world order. Kazakhstan suggests convening in 2016 a top-level UN International conference designed to reaffirm the basic principles of international law and restore trust,” he said.
The head of state noted the total power of all the world’s nuclear arsenals is 113,000 times as high as that of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs.
Therefore I stated that nuclear disarmament should be the main target of the 21st century. I am glad that the UN General Assembly supported us by having approved the Universal Declaration on a Nuclear Weapon Free World,” he maintained.
Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed Kazakhstan has consistently contributed to strengthening the nonproliferation regime. Another important milestone was when the country signed the Agreement with the IAEA on locating the Low-Enriched Uranium bank, he said.
We have always supported the international talks on Iran’s nuclear program and made our own contribution. The outcome of the two Almaty rounds of P5+1 talks was at the core of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. At the request of the P5+1 and Iran, we rendered our practical assistance to the Plan’s implementation. In coordination with the P5+1, Iran, IAEA and the UN Security Council, on December 27, 2015, Kazakhstan supplied Iran with 60 tons of natural uranium to make up for the removal of low-enriched uranium. We believe that this step will help strengthen the nonproliferation regime, fulfill the countries’ legitimate right to a peaceful nuclear program and indiscriminate access to nuclear fuel,” the President noted.
Nursultan Nazarbayev underscored that in 2016 the world will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the closing of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, 10th anniversary of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
These anniversaries are a good prerequisite to combine our efforts to promote the notion of a nuclear free world. Nuclear powers should above all set the example in this field. Otherwise the world will fail to constrain the countries striving to gain the status of a nuclear weapons state. This is a very dangerous trend,” he said.
The head of state also noted today the Middle East is a place where literally the entire world’s destiny is being shaped.
The negative aftermath of the Syrian conflict goes way beyond the Middle East. The resulting amount of refugees that we witness today has not been seen ever since the World War II. The lack of coordination of international efforts to counter the ISIL only plays into the hands of terrorists. That is why I proposed to establish a united global coalition to counter international terrorism and extremism. We welcome the recent US-Russia deal on Syria. We call upon all parties to fully fulfill their commitments. We believe this will help ensure a long-term political settlement,” he added.
The President once again stressed that terrorism must never be equaled to peace-loving Islam or other religions.
We initiated holding a ‘Religions for Peace’ high-level dialogue during the current session of the UN General Assembly this May. I invite all countries to take part in this dialogue to jointly oppose terrorism and extremism and using religion to cover up this global evil,” he said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized the global economic crisis keeps causing socio-economic challenges in the world.
Yet the crisis also gives a good opportunity for new development. We ought to use this historic chance to lay the foundation of an adequate, efficient and well-balanced global economic development track. That is why I proposed establishing a United Eurasian Economic Space,” he said.
The head of state noted that today Eurasia is a key geopolitical and geo-economic factor of global politics.
It is the place where the interests of all global actors overlap – from China, Russia, US and EU to India, Iran and Turkey. Geopolitical games, economic sanctions and other vestigial remnants of the Cold War should be left in the past forever. Building a peaceful, stable, prosperous and economically robust Eurasia will be a great multiplier effect to ensure global growth and will be a win-win arrangement. I call upon all states to focus their efforts on promoting bilateral, regional and cross-regional cooperation in economic areas, such as trade and investment. I suggest discussing that idea at the upcoming 9th Astana Economic Forum this May. I look forward to seeing high-level representatives of your countries on this Forum,” he added.
The President said since 2000 the number of natural disasters has grown sharply, while the overall damage they caused is worth USD hundreds of billions.
In this situation, protecting our environment is certainly a key prerequisite of our civilization’s sustainable development. The topic of the upcoming Expo 2017 in Astana is the ‘Future Energy’. This is our contribution to implementing the UN’s ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ initiative. I invite the countries and international organizations you represent to actively engage in the exhibition,” he maintained.
Nursultan Nazarbayev mentioned that the 4year 2015 was marked in Kazakhstan by its active foreign policy activities.
During my international visits we have singed 275 economic deals worth around $60 billion. We held bilateral meetings with the leaders of the majority of the G20 countries and other states. Those meetings reaffirmed the shared willingness of all parties to reinforce the comprehensive cooperation with our country. I suggest that you focus your interaction with our Foreign Ministry on fulfilling the specific agreements and commitments reached during our top level meetings,” he said.
The President stressed that this year, Kazakhstan will continue carrying out its multi-vector, balanced foreign policy, our path to incorporate into the global economic space.
The integration potential of the Eurasian Economic Union and promoting the Silk Road Economic Belt project together with China will strengthen the role of Kazakhstan as an essential business and transportation hub of Eurasia. We will actively participate in the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Kazakhstan will take efforts to transform the Conference on confidence building measures in Asia into the Organisation for security and development in Asia. We hope for the support of your countries,” he said.
The head of state noted that the role of Kazakhstan as a transit territory is already apparent.
The number of containers shipped along the China-Kazakhstan-Europe route has grown from 6,600 in 2013 to 47,500 in 2015. In 2016, the number is expected to reach 95,000. In 2013, 77 trains went along that route, whereas in 2016 the number of trains is expected to reach 1,100,” he said.
In Nursultan Nazarbayev’s words, Kazakhstan’s absolute priority is the cooperation with Central Asian states.
Blending the Eurasian Economic Union and the Silk Road Economic Belt, as well as implementing our Nurly Zhol infrastructure program opens up some new opportunities for collaboration,” he noted.
According to the President, two months ago the country signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, which remains number one trade and investment partner of Kazakhstan.
It’s an important step towards boosting trade and attracting European investment,” he stressed.
The head of state also said the United States is one of top foreign investors for Kazakhstan and the country plans to expand the level of partnership.
Nursultan Nazarbayev underscored that having close historic and cultural ties with the Middle East, Kazakhstan will further deepen its interaction with the countries of the region. Besides, he said, the country is interested in developing full-scale economic cooperation with Iran. At the same time Kazakhstan will continue assisting the efforts to ensure the economic and social development of Afghanistan.
We intend to intensify our economic, investment and technology cooperation with Asia Pacific nations. We consistently develop our relations with Africa, Latin America and Caribbean. Last year, Kazakhstan became a full-fledged member of the WTO. This should help expand our international trade geography and raise our investment capacity,” the President noted.
Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed that Kazakhstan applied for a non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council for 2017-2018 and whereas the elections will take place this June the country relies on the support of other states.
In conclusion, the President thanked all ambassadors, chiefs of mission, and all other diplomats for the contribution they make into strengthening of ties with Kazakhstan.
