New York, USA
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the Global Summit on Food Security, which was held under the joint chairmanship of the African Union and the European Union.
The event was also attended by the President of the European Council Charles Michel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Senegalese President Macky Sall, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and other world politicians.
In his speech, the Head of State noted that ensuring food security is one of the most pressing problems facing the world today. He stressed that since the last meeting in this format in 2019, the number of people facing acute food shortages has increased from 135 to 345 million people.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Kazakhstan intends to continue to utilize its agricultural potential to combat the global food shortage.
In particular, the President stressed that our country will continue to act as a reliable supplier of grain and other basic types of food.
The Head of State urged to intensify efforts to combat hunger. In this context, he noted readiness to expand cooperation with the Islamic Food Security Organization and UN institutions in the region within the framework of various procurement projects, including for the needs of Afghanistan.
The President called for the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, stressing the importance of excluding food and fertilizers from all sanctions and restrictions, and ensuring their supply to the poorest countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also focused on the transit and transport potential of our country, including within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
— “We expect that the volume of cargo transportation through Kazakhstan will increase significantly in the coming years. Ahead of winter, Kazakhstan can mitigate the existing shortage of energy resources and critical raw materials," he said.
The President separately focused on the challenges associated with climate change and the structural vulnerability of food systems. He stressed that Kazakhstan, as an international transit hub, is able to build global sustainable supply chains.
At the end of his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that in the 1930s, Kazakhstan experienced a tragedy caused by famine ("Asharshylyk") and is therefore fully committed to solving food security problems.