Speech by Federal Minister Planning, Development and Special Initiatives of Pakistan Professor Ahsan Iqbal at Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad on Rising Kazakhstan: Agenda for Building Regional Cooperation 24 Sep 2024
“Rising Kazakhstan: Agenda for Building Regional Cooperation” the theme reflects the essence of our times, where regional cooperation is not only necessary but essential for mutual prosperity and security.As Kazakhstan rises as a pivotal player in the region, Pakistan, too, stands tall as a key driver of growth, connectivity, and diplomacy.
Pak-Kazakh Relation
Kazakhstan, as a regional hub in Central Asia, and Pakistan, as a gateway to South Asia and the Middle East, have the unique advantage of serving as conduits for regional connectivity and trade.
Over the years, our two nations have maintained robust diplomatic and economic exchanges, but today we stand at the precipice of a new era. This is an era of enhanced cooperation, deeper integration, and shared visions for a future where our people can prosper together.
The bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Kazakhstan is a testament to our shared values and aspirations. In Kazakhstan, Pakistan finds a reliable friend and an indispensable partner in fostering regional peace and connectivity.
Kazakhstan, as an emerging regional power, has a growing role to play, not just in Central Asia but across the broader Eurasian region. With its abundant resources and strategic location, it is ideally positioned to act as a bridge between East and West.
Pakistan, too, is strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, and our shared commitment to regional stability positions us as natural partners in the quest for prosperity through cooperation.
Amb Yerzhan Kistafin : ” Rising Kazakhstan: Agenda for Building Regional Cooperation & Pakistan “
Regional Cooperation
Kazakhstan has made remarkable progress in strengthening its economy, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Central Asia. Pakistan, too, is on the path to recovery and revitalization, particularly through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Regional cooperation is not just an aspiration—it is a necessity. Our region is blessed with immense natural resources, a young and dynamic workforce, and strategic trade routes that can become highways for commerce, energy, and ideas.
We must deepen our partnerships, eliminate barriers, and work together to ensure that our region becomes a beacon of stability and prosperity. The global challenges we face today, from economic turbulence to climate change, are too complex for any one nation to solve alone.
CPEC $ Regional Connectivity
Pakistan is geographically positioned to act as a bridge between Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has become a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a prime example of how Pakistan is working to create economic corridors that benefit the entire region. CPEC is not just a bilateral initiative between China and Pakistan—it is a multi-regional project with far-reaching implications for Central Asia,
South Asia, and the Middle East.
Through CPEC, we are creating a network of highways, railways, and energy pipelines that will transform the economic landscape of our region. Investments in infrastructure, energy, and industrial zones will create jobs, stimulate growth, and provide opportunities for businesses across the region to flourish.
Kazakhstan can play an instrumental role in this initiative. As a landlocked country, Kazakhstan stands to gain immensely from improved access to markets in South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
CPEC offers a direct route for Kazakhstan’s goods to reach these markets, bypassing traditional bottlenecks and opening up new opportunities for trade and investment.Our vision is to create a regional economic ecosystem where goods, services, energy, and people flow freely, creating a win-win situation for all.
SCO Astana Summit 2024 – Deliberations & Expectations – Kazakhstan’s Contribution by Tazeen Akhtar
