African countries highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s peace initiatives

Addis Ababa, August 27, 2021 – As part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence, a seminar on the topic: «Achieving a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests», dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, was held in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.

The seminar was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the Secretariat of the African Union Commission, the diplomatic corps, including the countries of the «nuclear five», the Stockholm Initiative, public figures, representatives of the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, the Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation, students of the University of Addis Ababa, as well as journalists of a number of Ethiopian publications.

In his address to the participants of the seminar, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Barlybay Sadykov told about Kazakhstan’s contribution to the global process of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, about the international initiatives of the First President of Kazakhstan-Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, his role in strengthening international peace and security.

It is very symbolic that this year the countries of Africa are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening for signing of the Pelindaba Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Africa. This year is also marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (the Semipalatinsk Treaty). In accordance with the agreements, it is planned to sign a cooperation agreement between the two zones this year.

Representatives of research institutes, public figures of Ethiopia, ambassadors of Indonesia, Sweden, Iran, representative of Japan Mission to AU are also spoke at the event, who stressed the need for further joint work with Kazakhstan to strengthen the regime of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world.

The seminar included a screening of Andre Singer’s documentary «Where The Wind blew», as well as a photo exhibition entitled «Stronger than Death», dedicated to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site and the contribution of the Republic of Kazakhstan to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Following the seminar, the participants highly appreciated the contribution of Kazakhstan and its people to the international process of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and expressed interest in strengthening friendly ties with our country.