On 25 October, Kazakhstan celebrates one of the key dates in its history – Republic Day. This is more than just a national holiday; it symbolises the nation’s aspiration for independence, marking the moment when Kazakhstan embarked on its path to sovereignty, laying the foundation for the country’s development as an independent and prosperous state. On this day in 1990, the Declaration of State Sovereignty was adopted, marking the beginning of Kazakhstan’s emergence as independent nation.
On the international stage, Kazakhstan actively promotes the ideas of peace and security, resolving conflicts through negotiations. On 17 October 2024, speaking at the plenary session of the Astana Think Tank Forum, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised that “the key elements of our foreign policy are independence, multilateralism, regional stability, and diplomacy. Therefore, we strongly support the role of the United Nations as the only universal organisation driving global cooperation and progress. We are convinced that the modern world and the world of the future must be universal, based above all on the principles set out in the UN Charter. We need to adhere to the UN Charter. No one has the right to violate it, as there are no alternatives. The UN Charter is the foundation of the modern international order,” noted the Head of State.
Our country voluntarily renounced its nuclear arsenal and continues to actively pursue a policy aimed at achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. Astana’s initiative to establish an International Agency for Biological Safety is highly relevant and meets the interests of the international community in countering global security threats.
Kazakhstan provided the platform for the signing of the nuclear deal with Iran, the negotiations on Syria, and the recent meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and is ready to continue working closely with interested parties to resolve conflicts.
Kazakhstan’s initiative to hold the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions serves as a platform for interfaith dialogue. In 2025, the VIII Congress will take place, and Kazakhstan will continue to support the development of mutual understanding and cooperation between religious leaders from around the world.
In 2024, Kazakhstan is simultaneously chairing the CICA, the Organisation of Turkic States, the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian States, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the Islamic Organisation for Food Security, and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. In July 2024, Kazakhstan completed its chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has become one of the leaders in Central Asia in terms of economic development. The attraction of $441 billion in foreign direct investment since 1993 is a testament to the confidence of the global business community in Kazakhstan’s economy. The country has managed to create favourable conditions for investors, establish foreign trade, and develop economic ties with leading global powers.
However, Kazakhstan’s economic growth is not solely driven by foreign investment. In recent years, the country has been actively developing its domestic resources, embracing innovation, and focusing on sustainable development. The recently launched economic campaign “Born Bold” highlights Kazakhstan’s ambition to become one of the leading centres of economic and innovative growth on the Eurasian continent.
Kazakhstan continues to implement internal reforms aimed at developing democratic institutions, strengthening human rights, and increasing transparency. One striking example of this democratic approach is the government’s decision to hold a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. This move reaffirms the country’s commitment to taking into account the will of the people in making key national-level decisions.
Kazakhstan and Ethiopia are actively cooperating bilaterally and within international organisations, and Kazakhstan is keen to further deepen bilateral relations with Addis Ababa. As President Tokayev noted in his congratulatory letter to Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie on his election to this important state post, “the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Ethiopia, based on trust and mutual understanding, will continue to strengthen, and Kazakhstan is committed to close cooperation to elevate our partnership to a new level.”
We are pleased to note the steady progress in cooperation between our countries. Political consultations have already taken place between the foreign ministries at the level of deputy ministers, and a roadmap for expanding bilateral cooperation for 2024-2025 has been adopted. A meeting of parliamentary friendship groups from Kazakhstan and Ethiopia has been held. A delegation of Ethiopian businesspeople visited Kazakhstan to participate in the Astana International Forum, and in November 2024, Ethiopian businesspeople will take part in the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2024).
Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen its cooperation with Ethiopia as one of its friendly and reliable partners in Africa. Kazakhstan and Ethiopia worked closely together as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018, and we are convinced that in modern conditions, it is middle powers that can contribute to strengthening peace and security on the planet by uniting efforts at international forums, including within the UN.
Kazakhstan, with its unique history and rich cultural heritage, continues to move forward, implementing its programme for building a Just Kazakhstan. Republic Day is not only a time to reflect on the path travelled but also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to national unity and solidarity. We are full of optimism and believe in building a more just, inclusive, and prosperous society.
Editor’s Note: The Author is Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia
BY B. SADYKOV
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2024
