Almaty region, October 4, 2019 - The front office for investment attraction and investors’ support started operations in Almaty region. The office was launched in line with the Government’s order to establish special front offices for investors in the country. The office, operating on the principle of "one-stop shop", is located in the financial center of Kazakhstan – Almaty city with the address Zheltoksan St. 112. “The front office, operating on the “one-stop shop” principle, provides not only comfortable conditions for obtaining public services, but also availability and transparency of procedures as well as effective interaction with authorities” - said Birzhan Kaneshev, Deputy CEO of KAZAKH INVEST.The front office will house specialists from local executive bodies, public service centers, Regional Chambers of Entrepreneurs Atameken, Damu Entrepreneurship Fund, socio-entrepreneurial corporations (SEC), migration, customs and tax authorities, as well as public notaries and translators.  At the front office, all investors and businessmen will be served in nine directions, namely provision of public services, project support, marketing and accounting services, procurement consultations, CT KZ certification, assistance from financial institutions and development institutes, protection of rights and legitimate interests of business, as well as assistance in solving all migration, customs and tax issues. It is worth noting that, today, across Almaty region there are 34 investment projects worth $3.8 billion registered in the KAZAKH INVEST Monitoring System. Of these, 12 projects are under the construction, while 22 projects are at the development stage. In general, 10 projects will be implemented by the end of the year creating 1200 jobs.National Company KAZAKH INVEST JSC is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. KAZAKH INVEST, acting as a "single negotiator" on behalf of the Government of the country, provides a full range of services to support investment projects, including registration, obtaining various permits and approvals required for the implementation of investment activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/33218?lang=kk

The Republic of Kazakhstan welcomes the accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states (Turkic Council, CCTS).On 14 September 2019, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a Decree on the accession to the Nakhchivan Agreement on the Establishment of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-speaking states. On the same day Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, send the instrument of accession to the CCTS Secretariat.Turkic Council was established on 3 October 2009 by the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev. The founders of the organization are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.This historic decision important for the Turkic world coincides with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement. The Heads of States of the organization will sign the decision on the membership of Uzbekistan into the Turkic Council during the 7th Summit of the Turkic Council devoted to the development of small and medium-sized business, which will be held in Baku on 15 October 2019.Uzbekistan’s membership in the CCTS will strengthen the integration of the Turkic world and bring new horizons of cooperation at the times when the Turkic Council is taking concrete steps to strengthen the economic interaction of the Turkic states. In May 2019 in the capital of Kazakhstan within the framework of the XII Astana Economic Forum, the joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkic-speaking states was launched with the aim to further enhance ties between businessmen and increase trade turnover between countries.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32243?lang=kk

On 17 September UN Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt visited Almaty, in the framework of which he attended the new UN building. This is the first visit of the UN representative at this level to a new building. During a tour inside the building, UN Special Envoy was introduced with the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan on establishment of UN Regional Hub on the basis of a new building, which was positively received by him.In his opinion, Kazakhstan is an important partner of the organization and makes a significant contribution to the efforts in development of a global partnership to improve road safety. Kazakhstan also pays special attention to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals not only in the country, but also with a focus on the Central Asian region.After visiting the UN building, J. Todt met with the mayor of Almaty Bakhytzhan Sagintayev, and also met with representatives of secondary education at school No.90.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32240?lang=kk

While in Hangzhou, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the China National Tea Museum.During the tour of the halls, the Head of the Administration Committee of West Lake Tourist Attraction of Hangzhou Wen Wenjie and Director of the Museum Wu Xiaoli told the President Tokayev about the subtleties of tea traditions and tea etiquette, as well as about the peculiarities of tea culture in various provinces of China. The President was shown a tea ceremony.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also visited the Leifeng Pagoda and examined the ancient manuscripts collected in the library on the territory of the pagoda.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32236?lang=kk

As part of his two-day state visit to the People's Republic of China, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Hangzhou, located in Zhejiang province.In Hangzhou, Kazakhstan’s President visited the leading global supplier of innovative products “Hikvision” company.Hikvision’s CEO Chen Zongnan told President Tokayev about his company’s activities and implementation of some commercial projects in Central Asia.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was presented the company's developments in the robotics, big data processing, artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32234?lang=kk

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia Fernando Huanacuni Mamani in Astana on August 17, 2017. This is the first ever visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia to Kazakhstan in the history of bilateral relations.The agenda of the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was focused on multilateral cooperation, considering that Kazakhstan and Bolivia are currently non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for 2017-2018. Ministers noted the importance of coordination of joint efforts within the framework of the UN and other international organizations to promote common interests and strengthen Kazakhstan-Bolivian partnership in such areas as nuclear disarmament and creation of a world free of nuclear weapons.Ministers also discussed the present state and development prospects of bilateral relations, based on positive experience of participation of Bolivia in the EXPO 2017. They noted the potential to develop bilateral cooperation in the energy and mining industry and to promote small and medium business ties. They also expressed shared interest for cooperation in education and sports.In conclusion of the meeting Kazakh and Bolivian Foreign Ministers signed the Political Declaration that reflects the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation, including the decision to hold political consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs to support further broadening of dialogue between Kazakhstan and Bolivia.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32003?lang=kk

August 19, 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Portuguese Republic. Throughout a quarter-century of friendship and rapport, cooperation between Astana and Lisbon has developed in an environment of mutual benefit and progress. The visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to Portugal in 2010, as well as the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, Paulo Portas, to Kazakhstan in 2014 became significant milestones in bilateral relations. Collaboration between the foreign ministries and relevant agencies of the two nations is strengthening. The first political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs took place in 2012. The opening of the Embassy of Portugal in Astana in 2015 gave additional impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation. Economic ties are seeing steady expansion. Astana and Lisbon host business meetings on a regular basis, which increasingly lead to the opening of new avenues for mutually beneficial partnerships. Among the promising fields for bilateral economic cooperation are energy (including alternative energy), electronics, agriculture, food industry, pharmaceuticals, civil engineering, and consumer goods. An important line of cooperation is multilateral interaction within the framework of the UN, the OSCE, and other international organizations where Kazakhstan and Portugal hold similar or identical positions on key issues on the international agenda. Kazakhstan is committed to further strengthening political dialogue and expanding comprehensive collaboration with Portugal.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/32001?lang=kk

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Honduras Maria Dolores Aguero, who is paying the first visit by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Astana in the history of bilateral relations.During the meeting held in a friendly atmosphere the parties expressed their interest to establish political dialogue between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Honduras. They also noted the need to identify the most promising areas of bilateral relations, including trade and tourism.The Ministers exchanged views on pressing issues of international relations and regional security. They noted similarity in approaches of two countries on key matters of multilateral agenda and underlined the need to continue fruitful engagement within the framework of the United Nations, where Honduras has put forward its candidacy to the Security Council for 2022-2023.Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov informed about Kazakhstan's engagement with such platforms of regional cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean as the Organization of American States, Association of Caribbean States, Caribbean Community and others. Another important organization is the Central American Integration System that has Honduras among its members and aims to create a free trade zone and common market.Minister of Foreign Affairs of Honduras led respectable delegation to participate in the celebration of the National Day of Honduras at the EXPO 2017 in Astana. Honduras is operating a pavilion and celebrated this day with an exciting performance of its artists.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31375?lang=kk

ASTANA, 10 September, 2017 - President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev opened the First Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on science and technology.The heads of delegations adopted Astana declaration of the First Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on science and technology “Science and technology, innovation and modernization in Islamic world"Also, the OIC Chairman's summary report of the meeting of heads of State and Government on the Rohingya muslim community in Myanmar was approved.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31267?lang=kk

On 10 September 2017 Kazakhstan and the Netherlands mark a significant event - the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.In a quarter of a century, Kazakh-Dutch relations have reached a high level of development, and Astana and The Hague maintain intensive and trustful political dialogue while actively expanding trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties.The official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to The Hague within the framework of his participation in the Nuclear Security Summit in March 2014, and the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, to Astana in December 2015 provided significant impetus to comprehensive dialogue.Parliamentary diplomacy has made its own contribution to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The President of the Dutch Senate, Rene van der Linden, and the Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Kabibulla Dzhakupov, exchanged country visits in September 2012 and May 2015, respectively.During their tenure in 2018 as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands intend to work closely on issues of strengthening peace and stability as well as to provide mutual support in the promotion of the two countries' international initiatives.Trade and economic cooperation lies at the core of bilateral relations. The Netherlands is the “number one” investor in terms of direct investments in Kazakhstan's economy and the second largest European Union partner in terms of foreign trade turnover with Kazakhstan.More than 900 companies with Dutch capital are represented in Kazakhstan's economy, most of them actively engaged in oil and gas, geological exploration, aerospace, supply of agricultural machinery and equipment, pharmaceuticals and medicine, and the production of consumer goods.The parties show considerable interest in developing cooperation in the “green technologies” field, as clearly demonstrated by the participation of the Netherlands in EXPO 2017 in Astana.Kazakhstan and the Netherlands intend to continue close trade, economic, and investment cooperation as the foundations for mutually beneficial strategic partnership.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31257?lang=kk

Distinguished Representatives of the Media,The 6th high-level meeting of the Astana Process on Syria will take place on 14-15 September 2017.Journalists are invited to provide media-coverage of the plenary session which is to be held on 15 September at the «Rixos President Astana» Hotel (time of the beginning of the session will be announced additionally).In order to get accredited it is necessary to send a filled accreditation form (attached hereto) and a scanned copy of a passport, under the “Syrian talk” email subject, to the accreditation@mfa.kz email address, by 12 p.m. (time of Astana) 13 September.Time and place of a press conference (if any) following the meeting will be announced additionally.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31252?lang=kk

ASTANA, September 21, 2017 - Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko held a meeting with holders of fellowship of the UN Programme on Disarmament who arrived in Kazakhstan within the framework of a three-day visit, organized with the support of the Kazakh Foreign Service. The delegation included diplomats under the age of 35 representing 27 countries.During the meeting Vassilenko briefed the participants about the initiatives of President Nursultan Nazarbayev on strengthening peace and global security announced at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in 2015 as well as during other international events. The Kazakh diplomat stressed the historic importance of opening of the first IAEA Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank on the territory of our country which will help to promote the development of a peaceful atom use and strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime. In his speech, Vassilenko paid special attention to explaining Astana's priorities in the UN Security Council promulgated in the political address to the members of the Councilfrom January 10, 2017.UN fellows also took interest in the information on the ATOM Project initiated by the President of Kazakhstan in 2012 to raise awareness of the world society about the threats and consequences of nuclear weapons testing. Vassilenko encouraged the fellows to sign the Project's online petition to world leaders about the renunciation of nuclear weapons and also answered their numerous questions.The UN Programme of Fellowship on the Disarmament was established by the General Assembly in 1978 and aims to ensure the training and capacity development of officials of Member States for their subsequent effective participation in international discussion and negotiation forums on nuclear disarmament.The program of fellows' stay in Kazakhstan also includes a visit to Kurchatov, the territory of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, facilities of the National Nuclear Center. The fellows will also travel to Semey where they will get acquainted with the exhibits of the State Medical University Museum and visit the "Stronger than Death" monument on Polkovnichy Island.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/31100?lang=kk

ASTANA, October 6, 2017 - In connection with the completion of the diplomatic mission of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Kazakhstan Christian Kamill, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko presented today the Swedish diplomat with the state award - the Certificate of Honor of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the corresponding Decree of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Mr.Kamill was awarded the Certificate of Honor for his achievements in the development of fruitful partnership between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kingdom of Sweden.Mr. Vassilenko highlighted efficient efforts of Ambassador Kamill towards fostering political dialogue, economic interaction and cultural ties between our countries.The official visits of Speaker of theRiksdag (Swedish Parliament) Urban Ahlin and Minister of Agriculture of Sweden Sven-Erik Bucht to Kazakhstan were carried out during the service of Ambassador Kamill. Foreign Ministers of the two countries, Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Margot Wallström, met three times at the international forumsthis year. This January Kazakhstan and Sweden began joint activities in the UN Security Council and are closely cooperating within its agenda, primarily with respect to non-proliferation and disarmament. Under the auspices of Business Sweden - the Swedish Trade and Invest Council - large Swedish companies well-known for their high-tech and innovative developments paid visits to our country. The exhibition of Swedish artist Tove Krabo in Astana, Almaty and Kurchatov, devoted to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, raised a special interest among the Kazakh public. The concert organized by the State Opera and Ballet Theatre "Astana-Opera" together with one of the main conductors of the Royal Swedish Chamber Orchestra Mats Liljefors was great success.Christian Kamill thanked the leadership of Kazakhstan for the high praise for his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and expressed gratitude to the Foreign Ministry for fruitful collaboration with the Swedish Embassy that became the basis for holding a range of successful joint events.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30934?lang=kk

October 27, 2017, New York – The First (Disarmament) Committee of the United Nations General Assembly today expressed unanimous support for the renewal of Assembly Resolution 64/35 establishing the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The Committee did so by approving, without a vote, the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/72/L.36, which will now go before the full Assembly for adoption later in December this year.The new draft resolution specifically requests the President of the General Assembly to organize an annual high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests.The International Day, August 29, was established by the General Assembly on 2 December 2009, at the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As is known, it was on this day, in 1991, that President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, by decree, closed the Semipalatinsk test site, which was the second largest nuclear test site in the world.Since 2010, the Day has been widely celebrated all over the world, including annual observances at UN Headquarters that have been organized as informal meetings under the auspices of the General Assembly President. Such annual observances were conducted despite the lack of a clear mandate for the Assembly President to organize them.This year, Kazakhstan took the initiative to include in the text of the resolution the necessary mandate by adding language in which the General Assembly "requests the President to organize an annual high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests".Approval of the draft resolution demonstrates Member States unanimous support for including the necessary language, and reflects the unity of views on the relevance of the International Day in achieving a complete ban on nuclear testing. By its action, the world community also stressed the importance of the International Day as a tribute to the victims of nuclear tests and a reminder to all humankind of the continuing serious threat to international stability and security.Speaking before the First Committee took action on the proposed draft resolution, Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kairat Umarov, observed that 29 August is a day of historical significance not just for Kazakhstan, but for many other countries around the globe and many millions of people affected by the harmful consequences of nuclear weapons. He called on the world to speak with one powerful and united voice, as well as with firm conviction to continue the struggle to achieve a complete ban on nuclear testing."We are bound by a common shared destiny, and while, in the terminology of the Sustainable Development Goals, we say, 'leave no one behind', in disarmament we should say 'we take care of each other' to save people and this precious planet imperative of ending nuclear weapons tests for the safety and security of humankind," the Kazakh diplomat stated, while requesting support for the continuation of the observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests.Ambassador Umarov expressed his gratitude to all countries that actively participated in the informal consultations on elaborating the updated draft resolution, as well as its 42 co-sponsors.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30863?lang=kk

ASTANA, 30 October 2017 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Abdrakhmanov hosted Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David M. Satterfield who arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in Astana process as an observer.The parties noted progressive development of strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States. The foreign-policy establishments of the two countries will continue to cooperate tightly on the implementation of the arrangements reached during the telephone conversation between Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev and Donald Trump in September this year.The talkers exchanged views on the possibilities of resolving the Syrian crisis. The US representatives highly appreciated the role of the Astana process in the de-escalation of the situation in Syria and the cessation of violence.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30860?lang=kk

ASTANA, November 20, 2017 - A group of foreign journalists arrived in Kazakhstan to get acquainted with modern Kazakh culture. The week-long press tour organised jointly by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, includes visits to Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and Turkestan.The tour involves more than twenty journalists and bloggers specialising in culture and art from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain and the United States.As Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov explained during the meeting with the participants of the press tour, Kazakhstan this year started the implementing a major programme initiated by President Nursultan Nazarbayev under the title of “Modernization of Kazakhstan's Identity," which includes the intensification of efforts to promote modern Kazakh culture internationally. The press tour will help the journalists get a broad view of Kazakhstan's cultural diversity and potential.In Astana, the journalists familiarised themselves with the activities and expositions of the National Museum and the Kazakh pavilion at the EXPO 2017. Kazakh writers and scholars – Umitkhan Munalbayeva, Tursyn Zhurtbai, Bolat Komekov, Alimzhan Bayangali, Turzhan Onaygul and Ulyqbek Yesdaulet – addressed the press tour participants at the National Academic Library. Meetings were also held with Prof. Adil Akhmetov and a patron and traveler Sapar Iskakov. At the Astana Opera theatre, foreign media representatives attended the opening night of the Carmen opera.Tours to the ancient city of Otrar, the mausoleums of Arystanbab and Khoja Ahmed Yassawi and the Azret Sultan State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve were organised jointly with the Akimat (governor's office) of the South Kazakhstan region.The tour to Almaty was made possible with the support of the city Akimat and includes visits to the Abylkhan Kasteyev State Museum of Arts, the Esentai Gallery, Platforma Theatre Centre, the Multimedia Centre for Traditional Music, the Qazaq-Oner Crafts Centre and a meeting with aspiring young Kazakh poets among other events.The Kazakh Foreign Ministry arranges press tours for foreign journalists to cover political and economic events in Kazakhstan on a regular basis. The current press tour within the “Contemporary Kazakh culture in the global world" project, the first of its kind, is also designed to enhance tourism development and Kazakhstan's overall positive image as a dynamically developing nation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30661?lang=kk

20 November, 2017, London – The Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, met today with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, as part of the Kazakh-British Strategic Dialogue.The two Foreign Ministers confirmed their intention to maintain high-level contacts and mutual interest in developing relations in all areas of bilateral cooperation.During the meeting, Foreign Minister Abdrakhmanov said: "Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen its strategic partnership with the UK in order to modernise its economy and increase investment and trade between the two countries." He added that for the last 25 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, the United Kingdom has played and continues to play an important role in the development of Kazakhstan's economy.Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson noted the great importance of Kazakhstan for the UK and expressed London's intention to strengthen all-round cooperation with Astana. He said: “Kazakhstan will be the first Central Asian nation to chair the UN Security Council. I look forward to further cooperation on global security."The two sides also discussed important issues on the international agenda, including the priorities of the forthcoming chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the UN Security Council, the Astana Process on the settlement of the situation in Syria, the situation in Afghanistan, the implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine, countering terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and regional cooperation in Central Asia.The Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan also held meetings with the management of the British company 'Metalysis', as well as 'TheCityUk', and discussed current and prospective investment projects and opportunities in Kazakhstan.In addition, the Foreign Minister attended the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the international affairs think-tank 'Eurasian Council of Foreign Affairs'.Mr Abdrakhmanov said during his speech: "Kazakhstan is working to further improve its investment climate, and we are interested in expanding investment cooperation with European companies, including British." It was noted that this year Kazakhstan ranked 36th in the World Bank's Doing Business ranking.The participants also discussed ways to further develop relations between Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries with Europe, especially in the field of transport, logistics, energy and financial technologies. Kazakhstan's unique geo-economic position in the centre of Eurasia, as well as the country's efforts to develop its transit potential and contribution to the implementation of the 'One Belt One Road' Programme, were also discussed.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30659?lang=kk

LONDON, November 22, 2017 – Speaking at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov focused on the priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the UN Security Council in January 2018.The head of the Ministry elaborated on the implementation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's international initiatives, such as the achievement of a nuclear-weapon- free world and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He noted that as a member of the UNSC, Kazakhstan also attaches particular importance to issues of security in Central Asia, peace and stability in Africa, countering international terrorism and extremism, resolving the Syrian crisis, settling the situation in Afghanistan, as well as the UN reform. Meeting participants showed interest in the EXPO 2017 legacy and the implementation of such projects as the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and the international centre for the development of green technologies among other things.While in London, Abdrakhmanov also met with the Members of Parliament and the members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kazakhstan headed by its Chairman Bob Stewart. The Minister briefed the British Parliamentarians on the main provisions of President Nazarbayev's article “Course towards the future: modernisation of Kazakhstan's identity”, the implementation of the 100 Concrete Steps National Plan, the privatisation programme, as well as the project on creating and developing the AIFC. Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kazakhstan noted the high dynamics of the Kazakh-British relations' development and expressed their readiness to support the implementation of joint projects.The development of trade, economic and investment cooperation was an important priority of the Kazakh Foreign Minister's visit to London. He discussed current and prospective joint projects with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti. According to the head of the EBRD, Kazakhstan is the Bank's model partner. In recent years, the number of joint projects with the state and private sector has significantly risen, Kazakhstan's role in the region and the world has increased. The EBRD intends to strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan in implementing public-private partnership projects, the One Belt One Road initiative, as well as to promote the country marketing on foreign markets.Business cooperation was the main topic for discussion at the foreign minister's meeting with influential business executives who are also the members of the British-Kazakh Society. Investments in the Kazakh economy and the launch of new companies were discussed during separate meetings with the leadership of Independent Power Corporation and United Green companies, which show interest in investing in non-oil projects of Kazakhstan.Abdrakhmanov also met with the society of Kazakh students studying in the UK under the Bolashak programme. The foreign minister noted that young Kazakh citizens who received foreign education are an important asset for the country that is facing the strategic tasks of comprehensive modernisation and joining the top 30 developed countries of the world and wished the students success in their academic achievements.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30654?lang=kk

LIMA, 28 November 2017 – Kazakhstan and Peru held the first round of political consultations. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerzhan Ashikbayev, while the Peruvian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nestor Popolizio.In the course of the consultations, the sides expressed mutual desire to intensify the political dialogue further for enhancing bilateral ties and filling them with practical content, as well as the steps aimed at strengthening trade and economic partnership and developing cultural and humanitarian contacts.In addition to the need to deepen bilateral cooperation, the sides exchanged views on international issues. In particular, they discussed topical issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council, and confirmed the similarity of approaches in solving key issues in international politics, readiness to expand cooperation in combating new challenges and threats, as well as interaction in maintaining international peace and security.The Kazakh diplomat handed over a personal invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kairat Abdrakhmanov to the Head of the Peruvian Foreign Office to participate in the UN Security Council Ministerial Debate on Central Asia and Afghanistan in January next year within the framework of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the UN Security Council.Ashikbayev noted that Kazakhstan counts on close cooperation with Peru on all items of the UN Security Council agenda, as well as on common priorities within the Council during the period of joint membership in the Organization. The Peruvian diplomat, after welcoming the first official visit of the Kazakh delegation to Lima, agreed that expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two states is very important, especially in the light of Peru membership in the UN Security Council from January 2018.Following the talks, the representatives of foreign ministries of the two countries signed a Memorandum for the Establishment of a Mechanism for Political Consultations, thus broadening the Kazakh-Peruvian legal framework.At the end of the visit to Peru Ashikbayev held a meeting with the Director of Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Agency – PROMPERU, whom he handed the list of the most high-priority export goods of Kazakhstan in order to expand business contacts between the countries and to diversify bilateral trade.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30575?lang=kk

November 29, 2017, New York – The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting in response to North Korea's launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), at which all Council members strongly condemned, in no uncertain terms, the third launch of an ICBM within the span of just the last six months.The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr Jeffrey Feltman, informed the Council that the North Korean missile “Hwasong-15” was a considerably improved and updated model of ICBMs with a range of up to 13,000 kilometers, with the ability to reach the territory of the United States. He also stressed that over the past two years, nuclear tests and rocket launches conducted by Pyongyang led to serious tension on the Korean peninsula and beyond. “Given the grave risks associated with any military confrontation, in exercise of its primary responsibility, the Security Council needs to do all it can to prevent an escalation. Unity in the Security Council is critical,” warned USG Feltman.Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations and representing the country as an elected member of the Council, expressed extreme concern about this latest provocative missile launch by Pyongyang. According to the Kazakh delegation, this launch runs counter to the demands of the international community and gravely violates all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Such further provocations would only generate even greater confrontation and spur a new wave of escalations with untold consequences. At the same time, according to Kazakhstan, he indicated that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution to the North Korean crisis, and the stalemate can only be overcome through negotiations, dialogue and goodwill by all parties."We must avoid sliding down the military path. We need to focus on finding possible political and diplomatic measures to resolve the issue. Therefore, Astana stands for the tireless search for a comprehensive and collective solution of the issue through new decisive political and diplomatic actions. It is only through meaningful communication and collective deliberations, accompanied by confidence-building measures, that we will be able to find a way out of this very complex situation," Ambassador Umarov said.The meeting concluded with Security Council reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, and also its commitment to search for political and diplomatic paths, accompanied by the effective implementation of all previous sanctions measures against Pyongyang.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30551?lang=kk