Astana Calling

ASTANA CALLING

ISSUE NO 287 FRIDAY, 18 JANUARY 2013 WWW.MFA.KZ A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

President Nazarbayev meets with diplomatic corps Outlines priorities of foreign policy

Hurricane Strikes Zhambyl Region Emergency Committee coordinates relief and repairs

EXPO-2017 – Government Approves National Plan BIE Secretary General visits Astana to discuss preparations

Also in the News

President Nazarbayev meets with diplomatic corps On January 18 President Nazarbayev held his annual meeting with Heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Kazakhstan. In his remarks, the President noted that 2012 was one of the most successful years in the foreign policy history of Kazakhstan. The country significantly strengthened its positions in the region and in the world, he said.

At the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Kazakhstan was de-facto recognized as the leader of the non-proliferation movement. The Customs Union and the Single Economic Space worked to full effect.

2012 also marked the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s diplomatic relations with most countries in the world and gave a new impulse to the development of bilateral cooperation with many international partners.

“Our 2050 Strategy opens new horizons for Kazakhstan’s cooperation and partnership with all interested countries. Together with you, we are interested in ensuring that our cooperation is filled with new concrete content, so that the friendship and trust between our peoples contributes to strengthening peace and security in Eurasia and on the planet as a whole.”

President Nazarbayev

Summing up the results of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy activities in 2012, the President said that he had made almost 20 foreign visits while almost 15 leaders had visited Kazakhstan. He met with the leaders of the US, China, Russia, France, Britain, Germany, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and a number of other countries.

The President emphasized that Kazakhstan’s foreign policy successes would be inconceivable without peace and harmony in the country’s society as well as economic growth and the improvement of living standards.

He went on to outline the aims and context of Strategy 2050, noting that it reflects a completely different type of challenges and threats compared to those at the turn of the century. It will be implemented on innovative economic and social principles of development, he said. He drew attention to the ambitious goal he had set for Kazakhstan to become one of the 30 most developed countries in the world.

Describing the strategic goals and tasks for the coming decades, the President spoke about the start of work to create a Regional Center for Multilateral Diplomacy in Almaty. He noted the involvement already of 16 organizations, including specialized UN structures, with regional and sub-regional status.

He also spoke about the work to create Kazakhstan’s International Development Agency (KAZAID). It will provide technical assistance to Kazakhstan’s neighbours and other states.

The President went on to describe Kazakhstan’s vision of a new format for global dialogue, the G-Global. He noted that it has five principles for structuring today’s world: evolution and renunciation of revolutionary change; fairness, equality and consensus; global tolerance and trust: global transparency and constructive multipolarity. On this basis, it will be possible to find solutions to most global problems, the President said. He also referred to his initiative to convene an anti-crisis conference to draw up a UN global anti-crisis plan in response to the global financial crisis.

President Nazarbayev called on all heads of diplomatic missions to bring to the attention of world leaders his appeal to unify efforts to create a just world order free from wars and mutual suspicion.

Russian Ambassador, Mikhail Bocharnikov, the longest-serving foreign Ambassador to Kazakhstan, replied on behalf of the foreign heads of mission. “Looking back on 2012, it is impossible not to see the important stages in Kazakhstan’s life and its achievements that are a source of pleasure for the whole of Kazakhstan’s society and have also strengthened the country’s international prestige. A clear example of Kazakhstan’s success was the securing of the right to host the specialized exhibition EXPO-2017. For diplomats it is clear that despite the complicated financial-economic situation in the world, Kazakhstan’s significant positive dynamic of development has been preserved”, he said.

Concluding the meeting, President Nazarbayev said that the dynamic for the development of bilateral relations with each country and international organizations depended on the quality and activeness of the work of foreign missions, and wished them luck in their work.

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Hurricane Strikes Zhambyl Region Critical infrastructure was rapidly restored to the Zhambyl region of Southern Kazakhstan after it was struck by a hurricane on January 12. The relief effort was coordinated by the Emergency Response Commission formed by the President and led by Deputy Prime Minister Krymbek Kusherbayev, who visited the region in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

Southwest winds blasted through the region at up to 30 meters per second when the hurricane struck, cutting off electricity and water supplies, closing the Almaty-Tashkent road and the Kuyk and Shakpak mountain passes, and shutting down the central boiler-house of Karatau town when its chimney was demolished by the wind.

The brunt of the hurricane’s force was felt by Karatau, the administrative center for the region, and the town of Zhanatas, around 70km to the northwest, and their neighbouring villages, an area with a total population of around 75,000. As well as the loss of utilities and road closures, there was widespread flooding and substantial damage to homes and public buildings, with roofs blown off 14 schools and kindergartens and one hospital.

Deputy Prime Minister Kusherbayev visited Karatau and Zhanatas to survey the damage wreaked by the hurricane, meet with local residents, and hold working meetings to coordinate the deployment of relief and the repair of essential utility infrastructure.

In a region where winter temperatures can fall to below 30 degrees, the restoration of heat and electricity was a top priority, along with ensuring adequate food and water supplies to the local populace and clearing the debris left in the wake of the hurricane. The Emergency Response Commission mobilized a task force of over 700 to deploy 132 units of equipment supplied by the Ministry of Emergencies. Five public utility companies joined forces to repair electricity power lines and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan sent two groups of specialists to assist in the restoration of power.

“There have been victims, some hit by fragments of tiles from buildings collapsing, but so far as I know there have been about ten casualties, none of whom are critically injured. They have received assistance in hospital. The hospitals are working normally since they have independent sources of electricity.”

Vladimir Bozhko, Minister for Emergency Situations

Four meal stations were set up to feed the local population and drinking water was delivered to towns deprived of their supply. Supplies of gasoline (14 tons) and diesel (10 tons) were sent to Karatau from regional reserves and basic foodstuffs such as potatoes, rice, oil, flour, butter, onions and sugar, were also sent to Karatau and Zhanatas for distribution to the local population. A total of 35 patients from the central district hospital were moved to Karatau and Akkol hospitals and trauma counselling was made available to local residents.

Water and gas supplies to the affected areas are now stable and a back-up generator is supplying electricity to Karatau, the central hospital, schools and kindergartens. Mobile and wireless communications have been re-established in the region following work by the emergency response group of Kazakhtelecom and local emergency departments. The clearing of debris is well underway and reconstruction work has begun, carried out by a task force of 300 workers from 26 construction companies.

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Vicente Loscertales, Secretary General of the BIE, with President Nazarbayev in Astana this week

EXPO-2017 – Government Approves National Plan Preparations for the hosting of EXPO-17 in Astana are advancing according to plan, the Government of Kazakhstan heard at a special session on January 15, when the Minister for Economic Trade and Development, Erbolat Dossayev, presented a draft National Plan for the organization and production of the international exhibition.

Development of the National Plan was one of the key tasks assigned to Government last November by the newly-formed State Commission on preparation for EXPO-2017, established by President Nazarbayev and chaired by Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov. In Astana this week, the Plan was adopted by Government and approved by the State Commission.

Approval of the National Plan preceded the first visit to Astana, since the city won the bid to host the EXPO, by Vicente Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the Paris-based body which manages the international exhibitions. During his stay, which spanned January 15-17, Mr Loscertales met with President Nazarbayev and with Prime Minister Akhmetov, Deputy Prime Minister Kairat Kelimbetov, Minister for Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov and the Mayor of Astana, Imangali Tasmagambetov, with whom he discussed preparations for the hosting of EXPO-2017, as well as a regular joint review of developing events.

EXPO-2017 will be the first time that a major international exhibition of this kind is held in a country from the former Soviet Union. Based around the theme of “Future Energy”, the EXPO is intended to serve as a platform for speeding up the sharing of innovative technologies and creating new impulses for regional co-operation, especially in areas relating to energy and environmental security. With over five million visitors from 100 countries expected to descend on Astana for EXPO-2017, the overall preparatory task is a formidable one, but as the National Plan shows, it is already well underway.

The National Plan details the management of 78 tasks, by eight working groups which will draw people from 12 Government agencies. Over 90% of the tasks, in this initial phase, are scheduled for completion during 2013, across all the mayoral regions of Kazakhstan, including Astana, Almaty and Samruk-Kazyna.

“We are very glad that Astana has won the right to host EXPO-2017. I would like to thank you for your personal attention to our project. I want to reiterate once again on behalf of the government that we will make every effort to ensure that the preparation and delivery of the Exhibition will be of the highest order. EXPO-2017 taking place in Astana will give a huge boost to the development not only of the capital and regions of Kazakhstan but of the entire region of Central Asia.”

Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov

“The BIE will share in the success of Astana and the success of the EXPO.” Vicente Loscertales, Secretary General of the Bureau Internationale des Expositions (BIE)

A National Company, “Astana EXPO-2017”, will be set up to manage the design and building of infrastructure and facilities for EXPO-2017. An Organizing Committee headed by the Deputy Prime Minister will coordinate the activities of the eight working groups across all areas of preparation, while the Office of National Consultants will develop the progress reports which will henceforth be presented twice-yearly to the BIE General Assembly, as well as providing Kazakhstan’s delegation to the Assembly and to regular meetings of the BIE Executive Committee.

The EXPO-2017 Support Fund will continue its cooperation with other country members of the BIE and will fulfil the commitment to provide financial assistance for scientific research into renewable energy sources.

The first progress report on implementation of the National Plan will be presented to the BIE next October and details of the next stage of preparations, from 2014-2017, will then be finalized.

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Also in The News…

Re-organization of Ministries The Ministry of Economic Trade and Development has been renamed the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning and will take over budget planning from the Ministry of Finance. It also assumes responsibility for establishing a more favorable investment climate from the Ministry of Industry and New Technology and, from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, responsibility for formation of public policy on migration.

Several agencies have been set up to support the Ministries to further improve the system of government in the country.

In particular, the Agency for Construction, Housing and Community Services will be attached to the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development and the Nuclear Energy Agency will support the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Ministry of Environment Protection has been made responsible for implementing and overseeing the development of a “green economy”.

The Ministry also takes over responsibility for other functions, including the management of natural resources, the elaboration of a state policy for water management and development of fisheries as well as management of solid waste and development of a state policy on renewable energy resources.

President makes new appointments President Nazarbayev has made the following appointments: Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed is the new Minister of Culture and Information. He previously held this position until 2008. His successor at the Ministry of Culture and Information, Darkhan Mynbai, has been appointed Director of Kazakhstan’s National Museum.

Marat Tazhin is the new State Secretary, having previously served as assistant to the President and Secretary of the Security Council.

The Akorda Presidential Palace in Astana

Erbolat Dossayev is the new Minister of Economy and Budget Planning.

Former Minister of Tourism and Sports, Talgat Yermegiyayev, is the new Chairman of the “National Company Astana EXPO-2017”

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• President Nazarbayev has ordered the creation of the Ministry of Regional Development as part of a government effort to focus on the regions. At the same time, the powers of regional bodies are being increased as part of this process. At a meeting with regional leaders in January 2012, the President said that the main elements of industrialization and diversification of the economy would be transferred to the regions. He also gave an instruction not to allow the deindustrialization of the regions. (tengrinews.kz) • Kazakhstan is to open an Embassy in Stockholm to strengthen diplomatic relations with Sweden, according to a presidential decree published on January 16. (bnews.kz) • The first Kazakh school in America has opened in Houston, Texas. It is supported by Kazakhs who live in the city and want to expose their children to their native culture. Students study Kazakh literature, songs, dances, traditions and learn to play the dombra. Lessons take place on Sundays and the school has a junior and senior section up to the age of 12. (tengrinews.kz) • On January 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the first planned meeting of the Working Group on the Human Dimension.

The session was attended by representatives from government agencies, parliament and political parties, domestic and foreign NGOs. They included Presidential Advisor Yermukhamet Yertysbayev, Commissioner for Human Rights Askar Shakirov, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information Zhanna Kurmangaliyeva, Majilis member Aigul Solovyeva, Secretary of the Commission on Human Rights under the President Tastemir Abishev, as well as prominent human rights activists such as Zauresh Battalova, Yevgeny Zhovtis, Vitaliy Voronov, Sergey Zlotnikov, Tamara Kaleeva, Bakhyt Tumenova, Zhemys Turmagambetova, Ninel Fokina and others. (Foreign Ministry Press Service) • On January 18, President Nazarbayev met President of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, and discussed trade and investment issues. Mr Hisarciklioglu noted that the target set by President Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Erdogan of taking bilateral trade to the level of US $10 billion will be achieved. He also said that representatives of the business communities from Turkey and Kazakhstan are working together on the development of industrial-innovation zones as well as on implementing joint projects in transportation and logistics.

• Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on January 10 clarifying the situation around the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It said that Kazakhstan continued to count on broadening its participation at Baikonur and developing its space potential. In this respect, it would be wrong to miss the opportunity for close cooperation with a space power such as Russia, the statement says. It notes that the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Russia again confirmed the importance of space cooperation when they met on December 19. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Service) • A meeting of the Office of the Political Council of the “Nur Otan” Party took place on January 17 chaired by President Nazarbayev. Following the appointment of Bakytzhan Sagintaev as Deputy Prime Minister, the President proposed as the new Deputy Chairman of the Party Bayirzhan Baybek, currently Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. (akorda.kz) • The President has signed a decree confirming the state program “Information Kazakhstan 2020”. It was developed by the Ministry of Transport and Communication together with other government agencies and aims to provide conditions for Kazakhstan’s transition to an information society. By 2020, a digital network will be built across all of Kazakhstan that will enable broadcasting to reach 95% of the population. (inform.kz) • Three individuals convicted for their role in disturbances in December 2011 in Shetpe have had their sentences reduced following a session of the Supreme Court’s Supervisory Agency for Criminal Matters. The offences of all three were reclassified, leading to a reduction of their sentences. (tengrinews.kz) • Airbus has delivered to the Ministry of Defence the first two of eight C-295 military transport aircraft two months ahead of schedule. Deliveries will be completed in full by the end of 2018. (nur.kz) • 153,000 couples married in Kazakhstan in 2012, up 3.4% on the year before, according to Kazakhstan’s Statistics Agency Head, Alikhan Smailov. The number of divorces in 2012 reached 45,000, which was an increase of 9.5% on the previous year’s total of 41,200. He went on to say that the level of migration into Kazakhstan last year fell by 23.7% to 26,530. The number of people leaving Kazakhstan was also down by 8.2% to 27,977 people. (nur.kz)

ASTANA CALLING is a weekly online publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Please send your requests and questions to pressa@mfa.kz

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