January 19, in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov met with Chairman of the Global High-Level Group on Water and Peace, the former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Danilo Türk.D. Türk presented the report of the group headed by him under the general title A Matter of Survival, which notes that the global water problem is not only related to development and human rights, but also to the most pressing issues of peace, security and the very existence of life on Earth and urgently requires an integrated and comprehensive solution.The head of the Kazakh foreign ministry confirmed the importance of water issues for our country and the entire region of Central Asia and expressed support for the activities of the High-Level Group.At the same time, it was stressed the critical importance of promoting the conclusions drawn by the members of the UN Security Council and within the framework of the General Assembly. The solution of problems related to the use of transboundary rivers and water resources on the basis of international law and the experience of different regions are of particular importance.The High Level Panel on Water and Peace was established in 2015 at the initiative of Switzerland. Today the group includes Hungary, Ghana, Jordan, Spain, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Morocco, Oman, Senegal, Slovenia, Switzerland, France and Estonia.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27932?lang=kk

New York, January 24, 2018 - Kazakhstan chaired a Security Council briefing on the situation in Somalia.Michael Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Somalia, and Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the African Union Commission, were the keynote speakers.The speakers informed about the progress made by the new federal authorities of Somalia with the assistance of the international community. Thus, despite the existing difficulties, a national agenda was developed that provides for the financial reform, creation of new jobs, involvement of various population groups in the political process, resolution of the conflict and security sector reform. Notable progress was achieved in matters of political transformation and enhancing interaction between the central government (the Government of Somalia) and the local authorities, as well as the improvement of the complex humanitarian situation.The speakers emphasized that the terrorist group Al-Shabaab continues to pose a threat to stability and security in the country, questioning peacebuilding and strengthening of statehood in the country. It was noted that Somalis still face a number of complex political and humanitarian problems, as well as serious security challenges. In this regard, the speakers highlighted the positive role of the African Union Mission, the national security forces and international partners in Somalia, which contribute to the country's progress.The Special Representatives also informed the Council that last year Somalia managed to prevent famine. However, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating due to the drought.In their statements made after the briefing, the UN Security Council members reaffirmed the importance of accelerating the implementation of the national security architecture and the gradual transition of responsibility from the African Union Mission in Somalia to the national security forces of the country.Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, together with the Council members, welcomed Somalia's commitment to security policy, economic and political reforms, urging the Somali government to ensure high-level dialogue with federal member states to make progress on key issues including the constitutional review, elections, fiscal federalism, and power and resource sharing.Concern was also expressed about the continued vulnerability of millions of people, notably children and the internally displaced, to the ongoing risk of famine in Somalia, and the need for generous support to the Humanitarian Response Plan was recognized.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27925?lang=kk

Astana, February 1, 2018 – Kazakhstan has completed its presidency of the United Nations Security Council.Since January 1 over the course of a month, Kazakhstan steered the work of one of the main UN bodies, guided by President Nursultan Nazarbayev's policy address to the UN Security Council called Kazakhstan's Concept Vision on Sustaining Global Partnership for Secure, Just and Prosperous World, as well as its pragmatic national interests.The Kazakh presidency of the UN Security Council ensured smooth day-to-day work of the Security Council with the assistance of the UN Secretariat and performed the functions under its mandate.The Kazakh presidency held about 30 consultations, briefings and debates, which resulted in resolutions and press statements of the Council President.The flagship event of Kazakhstan's presidency of the UN Security Council was a high-level thematic briefing Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Confidence-Building Measures held on January 18 and chaired by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. The meeting demonstrated that confidence-building measures, as well as the strengthening of preventive diplomacy tools, can serve as a starting point for making progress on many critical issues that may notbe resolved in a timely manner due to the political situation in the relations of world powers.The Statement by the President of the UN Security Council (S/PRST/2018/1) adopted at the end of the meeting is devoted to acomprehensive conflict prevention strategy. In addition to early warning, preventive deployment, mediation, peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding, and, accountability measures, this document included for the first time the problems of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This is what makes the adopted document unique.Kazakhstan, being the first Central Asian state elected to the UN Security Council, during its presidency continued actively promoting the interests of all states of our region.The central event was the ministerial debates of the UN Security Council held on January 19 focusing on Building Regional Partnership in Afghanistan and Central Asia as a Model to Link Security and Development chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kairat Abdrakhmanov. The meeting was attended by Foreign Ministers of Kuwait, Russia, Poland, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, deputy foreign ministers of Great Britain, the Netherlands, the United States, Equatorial Guinea and Afghanistan, as well as delegations of the UN Security Council member states and the European Union. UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a keynote address.The meeting resulted in the adoption of Presidential Statement S/PRST/2018/2. The document stresses the importance of advancing regional, interregional and international cooperation to achieve long-term peace, stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan and Central Asia and supports the joint efforts of countries of the region towards the enhancement of a zone of peace, cooperation and prosperity.An important event of Kazakhstan's presidency was the visit of the UN Security Council delegation to Kabul on January 12-15. During the visit, meetings were held with the country's top leadership, representatives of political parties and civil society. In the course of the visit, the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to address a wide range of interrelated problems were considered and it was determined how the Security Council could further promote efforts on the ground.The field mission to Kabul was the Security Council's first visit to Afghanistan since 2010, gave insight into the situation and an objective understanding of the real interests and priorities of the country and its civilian population.On January 18, Kazakhstan held a special high-level event at the UN headquarters to launch the draft Code of Conduct for the Achievement of a Terrorism-Free World. The main goal of the document is to achieve a terrorism-free world by 2045 and create a broad international coalition of partner countries. The UN leadership and counterterrorism-related committees of the Security Council, heads and representatives of more than a hundred delegations of Member States supported the relevance and significance of the Code.The Kazakh presidency held planned activities (briefings and consultations) on the situation in the Middle East and Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Darfur (Sudan), West Africa and the Sahel, Libya, Mali, Somalia and Southern Sudan, on the efforts of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, as well as arranged the trip of the UN Security Council members to Washington to meet with the leadership of the United States.One of the initiatives of Kazakhstan's presidency was the official ceremony to mark the start of a new term for six newly-elected UN Security Council members: Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru and Poland on January 2, who solemnly placed their flags in front of the UN Security Council Chamber.Overall, Kazakhstan has impartially, openly and transparently presided over the UN Security Council, focusing on practical results and striving to make a constructive contribution to the Council on all issues on the agenda.Taking into account involvement in many global and regional processes, itsproactive stand in mediation and confidence building, Kazakhstan will continue to act as an honest broker, known for its effective balanced approach and neutrality to all international actors, states and organizations as part of multilateral diplomacy.The success of the events initiated by the Kazakh delegation during its presidency and the adoption of outcome documentsdemonstrated negotiation skills and relevance of the peacekeeping potential of our country, constructive approaches to the biggest challenges of today's world, and was due to the credibility of Kazakhstan and its President.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27886?lang=kk

20th of December this year in Astana, the opening of the "Tree of Wish" action was held from the "Club Dobryakov" of Astana in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.The purpose of the event is to fulfill New Year wishes of childrenwith psychoneurological pathologies and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and also provide them with social assistance.The opening of the action was held in the SEC "Saryarka", where the New Year tree with the desires of special children is on display.The action was opened by the director of the department of state languageand Interior Ministry information Almas Sadubayev and the founder of the Gobi Dobryakov Club Gulmira Abdrasheva, giving the children presents that they wished to receive from Santa Claus on New Year's Eve.In Astana, lives a huge number of children with these health problems, which can not attend Christmas trees. In this regard, within 10 days volunteers of the Astana Kindness Club and the Interior Ministry, territorial departments of internal affairs, emergency situations, the penal system of the capital are planning to visit their homes with New Year's gifts.         The Christmas tree will be located from December 19 to December 29 in the "Saryarka" SEC on the 3rd floor, and any indifferent resident, as well as the guest of the city can participate in the New Year's wish of children, which are fixed on a Christmas tree in special envelopes.   Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/qriim/press/news/details/27855?lang=kk

In Almaty, they discussed the training of prisoners in higher educational institutions remotely. The state has concluded agreements with NGOs on the re-socialization of convicts for 55 million tenge.Pursuant to the 33 step of the National Leader's Plan of the Head of State, a comprehensive strategy for the social rehabilitation of citizens released from prisons and registered with the probation service in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2017-2019 was approved a year ago (December 8, 2016).As part of the strategy, the projects "Meeting at the Gates", video sessions of convicts with their families, volunteers are actively involved in the process of resocialization. In the sphere of resocialization of prisoners, 292 memorials were concluded with NGOs and public associations, 15 of them were concluded within the state social order for a total of almost 55 million tenge.In Almaty and Pavlodar oblasts, it is planned to launch a pilot project to receive convicts with the use of new teaching technologies, creating conditions for obtaining education not only through the traditional education system, but also using new teaching technologies. In a word, it is planned to provide the convict with the opportunity to study in the universities of the country remotely. The optimal forms of training convicts are distance learning through the Internet and case studies.On these and other issues, as well as to consider the issue of piloting prisoners on education with the use of new teaching technologies today, within the walls of the Kazakh National University. al-Farabi in Almaty, the visiting session of the interdepartmental working group and the commission of the university itself was held.The meeting noted that the main resocializing factors are the acquisition of education, specialties, employment. Resocialization of convicts is one of the urgent tasks, the solution of which depends not only on law enforcement but also on specific institutions of the state and civil society. In this case it is the Ministry of Education and Science and a higher education institution.Using foreign experience, Kazakhstan is building its own process of social adaptation of these individuals, where the main element is the education system in the MIS institutions, which should be priced taking into account the labor market requirements for all citizens, competitiveness, competence, ability to solve the tasks.Representatives of state bodies, national and foreign experts, represented by the Penal Reform International Representative Office (International Prison Reform) in Central Asia, as well as the Kazakh National University are involved in the development of the project. Al-Farabi.As a pilot, two institutions were identified: LA-155/8 in Zarechny village of Almaty oblast and establishment of AP-162/3 in Pavlodar.The project will begin work in the 1st quarter of 2018.Press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan  Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/qriim/press/news/details/27854?lang=kk

The Ministry of Internal Affairs conducts various operational and preventive measures to identify and suppress violations of environmental legislation.So, on the territory of the republic, an operative-prophylactic measure "Poacher" was conducted, aimed at identifying, suppressing violations of environmental legislation, observance of hunting rules, as well as keeping and carrying firearms. As a result of the event, more than 2.3 thousand violations of environmental legislation were identified. According to the facts of the violations, 165 pre-trial criminal investigations were initiated. 2119 offenders were brought to administrative responsibility, fines were imposed in the amount of more than 43.4 million tenge. Abusers seized more than 160 cubic meters of illegally harvested roundwood, 11.3 tons of fish, of which about 2 tons of sturgeon, 248 guns, 3,000 meters of networks, 67 firearms.The amount of damage inflicted on the state on the revealed facts of violations amounted to more than 5.3 million tenge.For example, the Department of Internal Affairs of Kyzylorda Oblast for committing an illegal shooting of 5 gazelles entered in the Red Book detained three local residents in relation to whom a criminal case was instituted under Article 377.4 of the Criminal Code (Illegal Hunt).DVD Zhambyl region for illegal hunting detained four citizens of the UAE, who, along with two residents of the South Kazakhstan region shot 2 drofy beauties and 2 black-bellied fuzz, listed in the Red Book.The Department of Internal Affairs of the Akmola region launched a pre-trial investigation under art. 337 part 4 of the Criminal Code in respect of three local residents who illegally shot a wild boar.Background: Since the beginning of the year, the police have identified about 13,800 (in the year of 2016, 14,000) violations of environmental legislation, about 1,800 (1950) criminal offenses were registered, nearly 12,000 (12,100) offenders were brought to administrative responsibility, Fines were imposed for 87.5 million tenge (81.2 million tenge).About 200 tons (301.1 tons) of illegally extracted fish were seized from the violators, incl. 7 tons of sturgeon, over 1,100 cubic meters of illegally harvested wood, 2,679 guns for committing offenses (307 firearms and 166 swimming weapons).Press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan  Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/qriim/press/news/details/27852?lang=kk

According to the results of the event, 2,166 citizens applied to the internal affairs bodies, who voluntarily surrendered 2 944 firearms, 60,087 pieces of rifles to rifled weapons, as well as 1 explosive device and 14 kg of explosives for a total of 147.9 million tenge.The highest activity of the population in the voluntary for-profit delivery of illegally stored weapons was recorded in South Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, Zhambyl and Aktobe regions.Measures on the repayment of objects of armament of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from the population are conducted since 2012, during this period 30,4 thousand units of firearms, 130 explosive devices, more than 1 million cartridges for rifled weapons for a total of KZT 1 366 million were voluntarily surrendered.The effectiveness of ongoing measures is evidenced by a trend of a decrease in the number of crimes involving the use of firearms by 55% over the past five years. At the end of 2017, the number of crimes involving the use of firearms fell by 1.2%.The ransom will be held in the next 2 years, for these purposes 234.1 million tenge was allocated from the republican budget. About the beginning of the action the population will be informed through the media.The procedure for the voluntarily paying citizens with illegally stored firearms, ammunition and explosives is posted on the official Internet resource of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan   Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/qriim/press/news/details/27813?lang=kk

On February 2, 2018 we celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union, an anchoring point for our close and mutually beneficial cooperation.In the last 25 years Kazakhstan and the European Union have built up a solid framework of relations, with the signature on 21 December 2015 of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union (EPCA).The Agreement, which entered into provisional application on 1st of May 2016, marks a qualitatively new phase of bilateral relations and significantly expands the legal framework of cooperation in numerous areas for the benefit of our citizens. Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country signing such an Agreement with the EU.The Agreement is meant to be a driving force in the intensification of relations between Kazakhstan and Europe for the long run. It provides for a new level in the quality of our trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as a broadening of our political and human rights dialogues.The EU and Kazakhstan jointly support the implementation of the EU-Central Asia Strategy, in which a special emphasis has been given to the human capital development, education, environment protection, rational use of water resources, efficient transport and logistics infrastructures in the region, and combating challenges and threats.Kazakhstan and the European Union are confident of the enormous potential for further joint work, based on shared values, and express their readiness to continue to consistently improve all forms of partnership and cooperation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27805?lang=kk

Astana, 5 February 2018. Co-Chairs of the Kazakh-Greek Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Technological Cooperation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko and Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic Georgios Katrougkalos, who arrived in Astana for a working visit, discussed relevant aspects of bilateral political and trade and economic cooperation today. The Greek delegation also included representatives of the business community.The talks have confirmed there is an understanding between Astana and Athens in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. The sides identified promising areas for further joint work and considered projects for deepening economic and investment cooperation.Special attention was paid to facilitating the European Union visa regime for the citizens of Kazakhstan. The sides unanimously agreed that simplifying visa procedures corresponds to their mutual interests of enhancing business, educational, cultural and tourist exchanges between the EU and Kazakhstan.The sides also engaged in a detailed exchange of views on topical international issues: Kazakhstan's role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the Astana Process of talks on Syria, prospects of cooperation between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union, and other matters.During the visit, Vice Minister for Investments and Development of Kazakhstan Arystan Kabikenov and Georgios Katrougkalos took part in a Kazakh-Greek Business Forum that brought together some 100 entrepreneurs from the two countries. During the event, the Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises “SEV" signed a Cooperation Agreement.In addition, Georgios Katrougkalos held meetings with Vice Minister of Agriculture Gulmira Isayeva and Governor of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) Kairat Kelimbetov.During his stay in Astana, Georgios Katrougkalos visited the administrative center of Kazakhstan's Metropolitan District and the Assumption Cathedral. The distinguished guest from Greece was briefed on the history of its construction, which was supported by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece praised Kazakhstan's achievements in building interethnic peace and interfaith harmony.For reference: 1) In 2017, the volume of trade between Kazakhstan and Greece increased by 10.6%, compared to 2016 ($980.6 million: exports from Kazakhstan to Greece – $964 million, imports from Greece to Kazakhstan – $16.6 million). In 2016, that amount was $886 million (exports – $872.8 million, imports – $13.2 million).Kazakhstan's exports to Greece include hydrocarbons, grain, salt, soil, stones, gypsum, cement, copper, copper products, etc.Products from the chemical and metallurgical industries, plastics, fur and knitwear, footwear, machinery and equipment, electronic materials, bicycles, etc. are imported from Greece to Kazakhstan.2) Last year was also marked by an increase in mutual contacts:On 24-27 May 2017, Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court of Greece Xeni Dimitriou, visited Astana. As part of the visit, the Prosecutor General's Offices of Kazakhstan and Greece signed a Memorandum of Understanding;On 21 July 2017, Minister of Economy and Development of Greece Dimitriou Papadimitriou took part in celebrations to mark the National Day of Greece within the framework of EXPO-2017;On 27-30 August 2017, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports of Greece George Vassiliadis, visited Astana to sign a Declaration of Cooperation in sport and a modern Olympic Truce Declaration;On 9-10 October 2017, in Athens, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko took part in the business conference “EU-Eurasia-China";On 19-20 October 2017, Abai Tasbulatov, Co-chairman of the “Kazakh-Greek" interparliamentary friendship group, and Aikyn Konurov, a member of the friendship group, visited Greece.3) Presently, about 10,000 ethnic Greeks live in Kazakhstan. At the same time, Greece is home for about 60,000 ethnic Greeks, former citizens of Kazakhstan, with whom close friendly ties are also maintained.There is also an Association of Greek communities of Kazakhstan “Philia" (meaning “Friendship" in Greek).Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27803?lang=kk

February 16, 2018, Astana – The results of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union, as well as plans for the current year, were considered at the working meeting of Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov with the heads of diplomatic missions of the EU member states accredited in Kazakhstan.The agenda of the meeting of the minister with the EU ambassadors covered a wide range of both bilateral and multilateral issues interaction.In his remarks, the minister dwelled in detail on the results of EXPO2017, one of the main events last year, in which the EU countries took an active participation. He noted the main task for the upcoming period is to preserve and consolidate the legacy of the expo. In this context, the minister informed the European diplomats about the upcoming activities of the Astana International Financial Center, the “Future Energy" International Center and the International Park of IT Startups.Considering the potential for cooperation with foreign official and business circles, Minister Abdrakhmanov called on the European partners to cooperate with these new platforms.The participants of the meeting discussed the results of Kazakhstan's presidency in the UN Security Counciland its main events– a high-level thematic briefing chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the development of confidence-building measures in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as ministerial debates on Afghanistan and Central Asia. The diplomats were of the opinion that the adoption of important documents – the statements by the President of the UN Security Council on the results of the abovementioned events contributed to the successful fulfillment by Kazakhstan of its mission in this authoritative structure.Among other foreign policy achievements of the country during the past period were the ongoing negotiations on the settlement of the Syrian crisis within the Astana Process and the opening of the IAEA Bank of Low Enriched Uranium in August 2017.In general, according to European diplomats, the events held in Kazakhstan and abroad were organized at a high level, and their results pose even more ambitious goals for the country.As priorities for foreign policy in 2018, the Minister outlined the completion of the country's membership in the UN Security Council, the organization of high-level meetings in Kazakhstan in various multilateral formats, including the summit of the Caspian littoral states, ensuring the participation of foreign partners in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Astana, and holding the 6th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.The meeting focused on the dynamic development of cooperation with the European Union. It was noted that the European Union remains the largest trade, economic and investment partner of Kazakhstan (the EU retains leadership among trade partners of Kazakhstan with a share of 49.8% in total; in 2017 trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the EU grew by $6 billion, exceeding $30 billion). Kazakhstan's interest in diversifying trade with the EU and the need to find possible ways to expand non-oil exports from Kazakhstan to European countries was underscored.One of the significant results of fruitful cooperation is the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the EUin 2015, the beginning of its partial application since May 2016, as well as the good pace of its ratification by the EU member states (21 of the 28 the EU member states) and consent by the European Parliament. Ratification of the Agreement by all EU countries is necessary for the full entry into forceof the EPCA, covering 29 spheres of cooperation.In the light of the state-of-the-nation address by the President of Kazakhstan titled “New Opportunities for Development under the Fourth Industrial Revolution," the minister called on representatives of European countries to make more active use of existing opportunities in the most promising sectors such as modernization, digitalization, innovation technologies and business climate.Another priority task in the development of cooperation with the European Union is the facilitation of the visa regime, which is actively discussed between Kazakhstan and the European Union, showing significant progress in resolving this issue.During the discussion, European diplomats received answers to questions related to the implementation of an institutional reform in Kazakhstan aimed atensuring the rule of law and the improvement of legislation in various spheres of public life. The Foreign Minister drew the ambassadors' attention to the openness demonstrated by the Kazakh authorities to cooperation with international experts and non-governmental organizations specializing in legal issues. Particular importance is attached to constructive interaction and explanatory work on any cases of concern. This position of Kazakhstan finds understanding and support among the majority of foreign partners.The participants welcomed the process of updating the EU Strategy for Central Asia, which is to be completed in 2019. Minister Abdrakhmanov stressed Kazakhstan's readiness to actively join the process of updating the strategy in order to ensure its effectiveness, proceeding from the interests of all countries of the region. Among the priority areas, the Kazakh side noted the development of small and medium-sized businesses, transport and logistics infrastructure, energy efficiency, environmental protection, education and others.On February 2, 2018, Kazakhstan and the European Union celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27798?lang=kk

ALMATY, February 16, 2018 – Cooperation with the UN remains priority direction of Kazakhstan's foreign policy from the first days of independence. This was stated by the Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, speaking at the high-level meeting “Kazakhstan-UN: Experience, Achievements and Prospects for Cooperation" held in Almaty. The event was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first United Nations office in Kazakhstan.K.Abdrakhmanov in his speech noted that the key international initiatives of the President Nursultan Nazarbayev had been introduced from the UN rostrum. The global organization is the main platform for promoting large-scale anti-nuclear and anti-war initiatives of the Head of State.“UN organizations and programmes have made, and are still making an outstanding contribution to Kazakhstan's socio-economic development. At the same time, the UN provided technical and financial assistance to our country within the framework of such important projects as rehabilitation of the former Semipalatinsk test site, revival of the Aral Sea," – K.Abdrakhmanov said in his speech.The Foreign Minister stressed that Kazakhstan and the United Nations are actively working together in promoting gender equality, protecting children's rights, healthcare, ecology, migration, combating drug trafficking and other fields.K.Abdrakhmanov paid special attention to the recent presidency of Kazakhstan in the most authoritative body of the organization – the UN Security Council, which focused on peacekeeping initiatives of the President Nazarbayev and measures to create a zone of peace, security and development in Central Asia.During the meeting, the UN supported the idea of Kazakhstan to establish the UN Hub in Almaty, designed to promote the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia until 2030.The exchange of views on UN activities in country and regional dimensions enabled the participants to systematize the Organization's multifaceted work and outline the prospects for interaction within the framework of the Kazakhstan-UN joint action plan approved by the meeting for 2018-2020.The Akim of Almaty Baurzhan Baibek, heads of UN agencies in Kazakhstan, representatives of the diplomatic corps, veterans of the diplomatic service, and representatives of the academic and expert communities also took part in the anniversary event. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Akim of Almaty opened a memorial plaque in the hotel "Kazakhstan", where 25 years ago the UN Office in our country began its work.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27797?lang=kk

“If we compile a list of the five best Italian operas, G. Puccini’s La Bohème will certainly be among them, so we decided to choose the popular work of an outstanding composer for the tour. G. Puccini talks about the real life of ordinary people of his time, and for over a century this opera remains one of the best in the world repertoire. The opera house’s company is assiduously preparing for the performance, as we want to give a real celebration to the public of Karaganda. I would also like to note that on May 27 we are expecting a reciprocal tour of our colleagues from Karaganda. At the Astana Opera Main Hall, they will present a concert From Karaganda, With Love, featuring striking symphonic masterpieces of the twentieth century composers,” said the Director of the Astana Opera, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Galim Akhmedyarov.Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Zhannat Baktai will perform the role of Mimi, Rodolfo – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Nurlan Bekmukhambetov, Marcello – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Talgat Mussabayev, Schaunard – Yevgeny Chainikov, Colline – Shyngys Rassylkhan, Musetta – Honored Artist of Bashkortostan Alfiya Karimova, Alcindoro – Bolat Yessimkhanov, Benoit – Talgat Galeyev, Parpignol – Beimbet Tanarykov, Sergeant – Nurlybek Kosparmakov.La Bohème is an Italian opera, distinguished by an amazing subtlety of feelings. Its action takes place in the Parisian Latin Quarter on the Christmas Eve. All the characters are young. They are poor intellectuals, inhabitants of the Parisian garret: the poet Rodolfo, painter Marcello, musician Schaunard and philosopher Colline. Poverty is their constant life companion, but they do not lose courage and have fun even when there is no rent money to pay their landlord or no firewood for the fireplace. There is a place for joy, poetry, friendship and love in the daily life of these young people.Let us remind that the first tour of the Astana Opera to Karaganda took place on April 20 and 21, 2017, when K. Orff’s outstanding work – the cantata Carmina Burana and a Gala Concert were presented to the Karaganda audience.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/27791?lang=kk

Astana, 22 February 2018 – The goals outlined in the Address of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to the People of Kazakhstan, entitled “New Opportunities Under the Fourth Industrial Revolution", and the ongoing three-pronged modernization of the country's political, economic and social life open up new frontiers of cooperation with the European Union in spheres such as economic digitalization, energy efficiency, and improved education, among many others. This was the main message of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, speaking today in Astana at the opening of the international conference “25 Years of European Union - Central Asia Relations: From the Past to the Future".Mr. Peter Burian, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, together with a delegation from the European External Action Service, public sector representatives, non-governmental organizations, the diplomatic corps, and experts from renowned research centers and universities from Kazakhstan, Central Asia and Europe are among the conference attendees, which was organized as part of the process to update the EU Strategy for Central Asia first adopted in 2007.In his address to the conference the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, noted that “Kazakhstan supports the decision of the European Union to update the EU Strategy for Central Asia and is ready to make concrete proposals on its actualization".It is expected that this program document will be published by the middle of 2019. It will define the main priorities for further cooperation.Kazakhstan is paying special attention to its partnership with the European Union as it works to complete tasks that had been set by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in his annual Address to the People of Kazakhstan.Kazakhstan proposes to focus on increasing the practical impact of the new EU Strategy for Central Asia by hinging the program document's development on prioritizing the needs of the regional countries. In this regard, the development of private entrepreneurship, small and medium business, and transport and logistics infrastructure were identified as priority areas for cooperation.“We suggest for the EU to develop new mechanisms that will help attract private European capital to various projects in Central Asia. This will open up new opportunities for European companies to enter the regional market and strengthen the position of the EU in the region," the Foreign Minister said.Other promising fields of cooperation are energy efficiency, educational cooperation, environmental protection, rational use of water resources and climate change. Taking into account the latest global developments, digitalization was also named as a special priority for cooperation.Speaking about the development of the region's transit and transport potential, the Foreign Minister noted that Central Asia should not remain simply as a transit hub. In this respect, he called for using the experience and assistance of the European Union to achieve effective economic diversification in Central Asian countries and the creation of highly-demanded high-tech industries.Kazakhstan believes that strengthening security and stability should remain an important priority for cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union. In this context, the country's top diplomat drew attention to Kazakhstan's priorities as a member of the UN Security Council for the 2017-2018 period and, in particular, its Presidency of the UNSC this past January.The Foreign Minister appealed to the European Union to be more ambitious and expand its presence in Central Asia in order to increase the practical impact of interregional cooperation.Kairat Abdrakhmanov drew attention to the potential role that the European Union can play in implementing Astana's plans to further support Afghanistan by continuing a large-scale educational program for the latter's citizens.The conference participants had an opportunity to exchange views on a wide range of issues covering EU activities in country and regional contexts, as well as to conduct a practical review of achievements and tasks for the continued development of cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27789?lang=kk

The delegation of Kazakhstan to the UN addressed on the humanitarian situation in Syria at the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. None of the agreements reached in Astana should remain a dead letter, they must be strictly implemented, the representative of Kazakhstan said. The meeting of the UN Security Council was convened on February 22 at the initiative of the Russian delegation.The delegation of Kazakhstan urged all parties of the conflict to agree to cease military operations in East Ghouta and assist in strengthening the ceasefire in the zones of de-escalation. It was stated that it is necessary for the involved and interested parties to join forces to end military actions throughout Syria to allow the provision of humanitarian aid and the medical evacuation of the wounded personnel in accordance with international law.Kazakhstan spoke in favor of the importance of reaching a consensus and the early adoption of a UN Security Council Syria Cessation of Hostilities resolution, which is currently being considered by the members of the Council.During the videoconference from Geneva, a briefing was given by Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.The members of the Security Council expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, including the situation in East Ghouta, Idlib and North Hama provinces, Rukban and Raqqa. At the present day, humanitarian aid, including medical care, is required by more than 13.1 million people in Syria, of which 6.1 million are internally displaced persons, 2.5 million people live in hard-to-reach areas, and hundreds of thousands of people are still in besieged areas.Kazakhstan supported the "five requests" identified by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator M. Lowcock on January 11, 2018, following his visit to Syria, and called on all parties to facilitate their implementation, as well as other measures envisaged in Security Council resolutions in order to ensure sustainable improvement of the humanitarian aid delivery to Syria in 2018.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27787?lang=kk

The name of this famous set designer is known all over the world. Ezio Frigerio’s contribution to art is invaluable. His works in the field of musical theatre were a breakthrough in the development of modern scenic design. Frigerio’s productions of G. Verdi’s operas Simon Boccanegra (1971) and Falstaff (1980), R. Wagner’s Lohengrin (1981), W.A. Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (1973) and others, realized in collaboration with stage director Giorgio Strehler, received world recognition and became the twentieth century classics.He has created set designs for many famous opera and ballet productions at the Astana Opera. Together with his wife, an Academy Award-winning costume designer Franca Squarciapino, they have made a significant contribution to the development of the Kazakhstani musical theatre. On their account, there are exclusive productions in the capital’s opera house: Abai by A. Zhubanov and L. Khamidi, G. Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, G. Bizet’s Carmen, S. Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, P. Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beautyand The Swan Lake, B. Asafiev’s The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, L. Minkus’ La Bayadère and Don Quixote.“The productions that you have created for the Astana Opera became hallmarks of our Kazakhstani art. Undoubtedly, they are a part of the world treasury of opera and ballet masterpieces. We hope for further fruitful collaboration and wish you long life and good health,” said the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediuly.In turn, Ezio Frigerio warmly thanked the country’s Government, the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, the management of the Astana Opera for the high award, noting that it is an honor for him to be the first Italian to receive the Order of Dostyk. The set designer especially emphasized the importance of the support of the culture of Kazakhstan provided by the Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev. The set designer noted that the cultural bridges between Kazakhstan and Italy have become much stronger in recent years.Let us remind that by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ezio Frigerio was awarded the Order of Dostyk of the II degree for his significant contribution to the cultural development of the country, strengthening of friendship and cooperation between peoples. The Order of Friendship (Order of Dostyk) is a state award of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is awarded to individuals for the promotion of international and civil consensus in society and the promotion of peace.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/27770?lang=kk

“We have been preparing for this concert for about two months already. The new program features various numbers, including the march from G. Bizet’s opera Carmen, the Kazakh folk song Yapyrai, as well as an excerpt from G. Puccini’s opera Turandot, which will be premiering very soon at the Main Hall. Partly we will show the repertoire from the V theatrical season. There are kids in our studio who have been studying from the moment of its opening until today, and there are children who came here about two or three years ago. The pupils of the children’s studio, who are studying and performing at the Astana Opera for all these five years, set the level for the collective. These guys aspire to make the high art their profession, many of them have already decided for themselves that their future careers will be connected with the opera house,” says the head of the children’s choir Altynganym Akhmetova.In this concert, many boys will be performing solo numbers for the first time. The boys from the younger group will perform the popular repertoire of the Italian singer Robertino Loretti: Santa Lucia, O Sole Mio, Funiculì, Funiculà and others. Girls from the older group prepared a complex program, they will present polyphonic works. Young dancers of the ballet studio prepared a rich program. Thus, the evening will feature such numbers as the Kazakh folk dance Sholpy, a variation from J. Bayer’s ballet Die Puppenfee (The Fairy Doll), a polka from L. Minkus’ ballet La Bayadère, Kitri’s variation from L. Minkus’ ballet Don Quixote and much more.The goal of the Astana Opera Children’s Studio is to enable children to discover their creative potential and develop their talents.“The young artists reached the first anniversary with great achievements: the studio graduates are already studying at universities in Kazakhstan, near and far abroad. Young singers and dancers participate in concert programs, opera and ballet productions and even go on tour together with adult artists. The children who have a great interest in art, good scenic qualities and musical abilities are engaged in the studio. The youngest studio artists today are 7 years old. It is very important for us to help children express their individual personalities to the full. If the child consciously chooses the profession of an artist or a musician, he or she will have very high achievements. If they do not follow this path, they will undoubtedly have achievements in other areas, because, thanks to acting skills, acquired in childhood, they will become unselfconscious and free. All this helps them to achieve greater goals in their adult years,” explains the stage director of the Astana Opera Natalya Kagadiy.The audience can see the pupils of the choir studio in Y. Brussilovsky’s opera Kyz Zhibek, M. Tulebayev’s Birzhan – Sara, G. Puccini’s Tosca and La Boheme, G. Bizet’s Carmen. The students of the ballet studio performed onstage together with the artists of the legendary Milanese Teatro alla Scala in the production of L. Minkus’ ballet Don Quixote, and in Richard Wagner’s opera Das Rheingold (The Rhinegold) within the framework of the Mariinsky Theatre tour. For the first time, the pupils of the choir and ballet studios took part in a unique project – The Journey of Peer Gynt, involving the symphony orchestra, as well as the adult artists.The head of the choir studio is Altynganym Akhmetova; the head of the ballet studio is Amina Aliyeva. The Astana Opera stage director, the acting coach of the children’s studio is Natalya Kagadiy.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/27754?lang=kk

Kazakhstan's delegation headed by the First Deputy Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi took part in the UN Security Council meeting dedicated to the Iraq issue on February 20, 2018. Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Iraq Ján Kubiš delivered a report on the situation in Iraq after the victory of the people of that country over the ISIS / DAESH terrorist organization.Speaking at the meeting, Tileuberdi noted the effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces and international coalition in combating the ISIS/DAESH terrorist organization. He commended the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and other UN specialized agencies in Iraq (UNAMI) led by Special Representative Ján Kubiš. Kazakhstan's delegation also stressed the importance of the UNAMI's work in achieving interreligious and interethnic harmony among various political parties and movements.Iraq's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Hussein Ali Bahr Aluloom praised the international coalition headed by the USA, Russia and other states for effectively fighting the ISIS/DAESH terrorist organization. The Iraqi representative briefed the Security Council members on Iraq's Socio-economic Development Plan for 2018-2022 being developed by the Iraqi Government. He informed the Security Council members that the International Donors' Conference held in Kuwait on February 12-14 this year made it possible to secure the allocation of US $30 billion for Iraq's restoration. He also thanked Kazakhstan for its efforts as the UNSC President in January 2018 to ensure international peace and security.The UN Security Council members urged the Iraqi authorities to stick to the principle of inclusion and take into account the interests of national and religious minorities in the process of building a new peaceful Iraq. The Council stressed the importance of transferring the entire arsenal of weapons possessed by various small tribes and other armed groups operating in the country to the control of a special committee headed by the Prime Minister of Iraq.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27748?lang=kk

There are big-name theatrical figures on the production team: Music Director and Conductor – Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, celebrated maestro Alan Buribayev, Stage Director – famous Italian director Davide Livermore, Set and Costume Designers – well-known Kazakhstani designers Sofya Tasmagambetova and Pavel Dragunov.The opera Turandot was performed for the first time on April 25, 1926 in Milan. Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni wrote the libretto based on the eponymous play by C. Gozzi. They set their story in an exotic distant country: the action takes place in Beijing (China). The stunningly beautiful Princess Turandot gives three riddles to the princes. If they fail to solve the three riddles, they are beheaded, and whoever finds the answers will be given her hand in marriage. Prince Calaf decides to woo Turandot at any cost, and, after answering all of her questions, asks her his riddle – to guess his name.In C. Gozzi’s fairytale, the composer G. Puccini saw a protest against violence and the eternal idea of ​​the victory of light over the darkness.“I think this is a very important production for the Astana Opera. Incidentally, not every opera house can afford to add such a grand opera, which involves a huge number of artists, to its repertoire. Turandot completes a glorious tradition of Italian operas, which lasted and developed for 300 years. Over the years, G. Puccini has come a long way to this opera, and it can be called the culmination of the composer’s findings. Such operas were no longer created in the entire international community. The choir plays a very important role here, it is constantly onstage, - said the Music Director and Conductor Alan Buribayev.Maestro A. Buribayev has known the stage director for a long time, but this will be their first joint work. The Principal Conductor of the Astana Opera speaks warmly about Davide Livermore. Let us remind that the director Davide Leavermore during his 22-year career at the leading European venues and in the opera houses of his native Italy mastered many theatrical specialties: stage director, set, costume and lighting designer... He has worked with outstanding performers, among them Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Mirella Freni, with famous directors – Luca Ronconi, Andrei Tarkovsky and Zhang Yimou, as well as with the world-renowned maestro Zubin Mehta. One of the last works of the Italian director – G.F. Handel’s opera Tamerlano was a triumphant success at the legendary Teatro alla Scala.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/27742?lang=kk

Political, trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State of Qatar was discussed within the first round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two states.Kazakh delegation was headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister Akylbek Kamaldinov, and Qatari delegation was headed by the Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi.The parties outlined ways for cooperation development and expansion in bilateral and multilateral formats, discussed interaction within international and regional organizations to coordinate positions and address current issues, as well as mutual support for each other's foreign policy initiatives. In this context, Kazakhstan and Qatar delegations noted the importance of joint efforts within the United Nations in light of Kazakhstan's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council.The meeting also noted the importance of cooperation within the Joint High-Level Commission and implementation of joint projects aimed at attracting investment to Kazakhstan's economy.The parties agreed on setting a closer cooperation for implementing joint projects in the fields of culture, education and science.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27738?lang=kk

Kazakhstan proposes a road map for implementing the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union (EPCA). This was the announcement made in Brussels today by Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov during the 16th meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU Cooperation Council.The Agreement, signed in 2015, has so far been ratified by majority of the EU Member States and received consent from the European Parliament. The EPCA is a next-generation document that covers 29 fields of cooperation. Already, new collaborative structures have been created – the cooperation committee in the “trade configuration", a subcommittee on customs issues, and a subcommittee on energy, transport, environment and climate change.“The implementation of the EPCA's full potential corresponds to Kazakhstan's interests as the document will facilitate the effective implementation of the comprehensive modernization strategy pursued by President Nursultan Nazarbayev", the Minister said. The Kazakh diplomat briefed his European colleagues on the policy priorities of the Head of State, as outlined in the yearly State-of-the-Nation “New Opportunities for Development Under the Fourth Industrial Revolution". Kazakhstan offers EU Member States the chance to actively participate in the digitalization of its industry, development of transportation and logistics, and modernization of its agricultural sector.The European delegation, which included high-ranking representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service, was headed by the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Ekaterina Zaharieva, whose country now holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council. During the meeting, the delegations reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation issues between Kazakhstan and the EU, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on February 2.The European Union is Kazakhstan's largest trade and investment partner, accounting for about half of the country's foreign trade and direct investments. The volume of trade between Kazakhstan and the EU increased by 25% in 2017 over the previous year, amounting to about $30 billion.As stated by the Kazakh side, the implementation of the new Agreement will let increase trade volume significantly firstly by high-tech products, and generate new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.“In turn, the strengthening of trade and economic ties is inextricably linked with the free movement of citizens. In this regard, starting negotiations on facilitating the visa regime as soon as possible has become an objective necessity," Minister Abdrakhmanov said. He expressed the hope that negotiations on visa facilitation will start this year.The Kazakhstan-EU Cooperation Council is the highest body for interaction established under the EPCA. The Council meets once a year at the level of foreign ministers of Kazakhstan and the Member State holding the EU presidency in order to carry out a regular review of the Agreement's implementation, and also to discuss bilateral and international issues.Also today in Brussels, the European media platform “Euractiv" organized a forum on the topic “What's next for EU-Kazakhstan relations", with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko, EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, members of European Parliament, high-ranking officials from the European External Action Service, European experts and the media in attendance. The forum participants noted the high level of comprehensive interaction between Kazakhstan and the EU and the existence of considerable prospects for the continued growth of this cooperation. The forum also highly evaluated Kazakhstan's presidency of the UN Security Council in January 2018.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/27736?lang=kk