{"id":34993,"date":"2024-09-25T08:52:38","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T08:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=34993"},"modified":"2024-09-25T08:58:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T08:58:22","slug":"amb-yerzhan-kistafin-rising-kazakhstan-agenda-for-building-regional-cooperation-pakistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/amb-yerzhan-kistafin-rising-kazakhstan-agenda-for-building-regional-cooperation-pakistan\/","title":{"rendered":"Amb Yerzhan Kistafin : &#8221; Rising Kazakhstan: Agenda for Building Regional Cooperation &#038; Pakistan &#8220;"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34995\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.31-PM1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.31-PM1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.31-PM1-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.31-PM1-100x70.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Yerzhan Kistafin,<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan,<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Speech at the Conference hosted by Institute of Regional studies, Islamabad, Pakistan<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Islamabad: September 24, 2024<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>(Federal Minister Planning , Development and Special Initiatives , Ahsan Iqbal, President, Institute of Regional studies, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of foreign affairs of Pakistan, Ambassador Ahmad Naseem Warraich!, Vice-Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Dr. Nadeem ul Haque ,Professor Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan from the Area Study Centre of the University of Peshawar were present at the occasion)<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34998\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Kazakhstan-Pledges-Full-Support-for-Pakistan-in-SCO-Endeavours-Says-Envoy-e1727254224316.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"300\" \/><\/em><\/h5>\n<h5>First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable President of the Institute of Regional Studies, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, for organizing today\u2019s important event. It is truly a privilege to be here among such esteemed colleagues and experts as we gather to discuss the current situation in Kazakhstan and explore avenues for enhancing regional cooperation.<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>This gathering offers us an exceptional platform to engage in meaningful dialogue on Kazakhstan\u2019s progress, while highlighting the significance of fostering cooperation with Pakistan, which, as many of you know, is a key partner for Kazakhstan in South Asia.<\/em><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>Kazakhstan and Pakistan<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>The leadership of my country, on multiple occasions, has emphasized that Pakistan holds critical importance in Kazakhstan&#8217;s foreign policy, particularly in South Asia. The development of strong and mutually beneficial relations with Pakistan is of principal importance to us, and we see enormous potential for cooperation across a wide range of sectors.<\/h5>\n<h5>As we continue to build upon these foundations, I am more than confident that our partnership with Pakistan will grow stronger, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation for the benefit of our peoples and the broader region.<\/h5>\n<h5>All the above-mentioned aspects of Kazakhstan\u2019s national agenda hold significant importance not only for our country&#8217;s internal development but also for enhancing cooperation in the broader Central and South Asian region. The focus on investment, business development, energy security, water resource management, and environmental protection creates a strong foundation for deepening our ties with Pakistan.<\/h5>\n<h5>Kazakhstan and Pakistan are already holding active talks on these dimensions, with the goal of intensifying cooperation and mutually benefiting from each other\u2019s experiences.<br \/>\nWe believe that the successful implementation of these initiatives will not only strengthen the bonds between our two nations but also contribute to greater regional stability and prosperity.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34999\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.29-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.29-PM.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-24-at-5.21.29-PM-300x130.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Speaking about national agenda of Kazakhstan,<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>I would like to bring to your attention the recent State of the Nation Address \u201cJust Kazakhstan: Law and Order, Economic Growth, Social Optimism\u2019\u2019 by the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered on September 2, 2024.<\/h5>\n<h5>In this address, he emphasized the key goals of our nation: sustainable socio-economic progress, the realization of citizens&#8217; potential, and the enhancement of national well-being.<br \/>\nI would like to share an overview of the priorities and tasks outlined by the President.<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Political and Social Reforms<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Kazakhstan is undergoing profound political reforms aimed at transforming public consciousness, legal culture, and social values. These reforms align with our vision of building a \u00abFair Kazakhstan\u00bb.<\/h5>\n<h5>An important milestone in our journey is the upcoming nationwide referendum on October 6, 2024, concerning the construction of a nuclear power plant. This step is not only significant for our energy policy but also serves as an example of the \u00abListening State\u00bb concept, which seeks to engage citizens directly in decision-making processes.<\/h5>\n<h5>Furthermore, during the last parliamentary session, 102 laws were passed, including crucial legislation on public oversight, countering human trafficking, science and technology policy, and thermal energy. Special attention has been given to social issues, particularly the protection of children.<\/h5>\n<h5>New laws have been enacted to provide financial support to children from the National Fund, introduce administrative penalties for involving minors in gambling, and toughen punishments for violence against minors.<\/h5>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"6qm2ElP4jO\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-feb-2024\/\">Pakistan in the World \u2013 FEB 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World \u2013 FEB 2024&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-feb-2024\/embed\/#?secret=xj4DeQUiS2#?secret=6qm2ElP4jO\" data-secret=\"6qm2ElP4jO\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Economic Reforms and Development<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h5>President Tokayev has outlined a comprehensive strategy to address the economic challenges facing Kazakhstan. The government has been tasked with eliminating the imbalance between monetary and fiscal policy, focusing on effective budget spending, stringent expenditure control, and improving inter-budgetary relations. Key measures include restructuring the economy, boosting citizens&#8217; incomes, reducing inequality, and strengthening the middle class, with efficiency being the core criterion.<\/h5>\n<h5>To stimulate economic activity and support the fintech sector, a new banking law is being developed. Additionally, the government is focused on attracting private investments through a stable and business-friendly tax policy. Notably, there are ongoing efforts to reduce the shadow economy and enhance transparency and accountability in financial dealings.<\/h5>\n<h5>The agricultural sector remains a key area of focus. The government aims to transition from direct subsidies to providing accessible credit facilities to ensure efficient use of allocated resources.<\/h5>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Enhancing the investment climate and improving business conditions<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h5>One of the central focuses of President Tokayev\u2019s address is improvement of investment climate in Kazakhstan. To that end, the government aims to increase direct investments in the economy, especially through the development of public-private partnerships. Special preferences will be provided to investors who focus on production development, with incentives such as one-time deductions for construction, acquisition, and modernization of assets.<\/h5>\n<h5>Kazakhstan has also set an ambitious target to increase the share of medium-sized businesses in our economy from the current 7% to 15% by 2029. We have already made substantial progress in deregulation, removing over 10,000 unnecessary business restrictions, but challenges remain.<\/h5>\n<h5>A review of over 100 business support measures will be conducted to ensure their effectiveness, and a clear, unified list of preferences for businesses will be developed. The government is also committed to systematically organizing information on returned state assets and ensuring that capital amnesty is tied to reinvesting in Kazakhstan\u2019s economy, with entrepreneurs being encouraged to contribute to the social infrastructure.<\/h5>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"DoRfyhNftV\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-may-june-2024\/\">Pakistan in the World \u2013 May\/June 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World \u2013 May\/June 2024&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-may-june-2024\/embed\/#?secret=govivSTS0G#?secret=DoRfyhNftV\" data-secret=\"DoRfyhNftV\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Tax reforms<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>President has called for the development of a new Tax Code that simplifies the system and increases transparency. This includes optimizing tax regimes, especially in favor of entrepreneurs, and promoting the successful retail tax model.<\/h5>\n<h5>Comprehensive digitalization of tax administration will play a critical role in reducing corruption and enhancing transparency. There is also a move toward differentiated personal income tax rates and reforms in tax debt notifications, risk management, and the elimination of scheduled audits. Additionally, tax incentives will be evaluated to ensure they truly stimulate business growth.<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Infrastructure and Digitalization<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>Kazakhstan continues to actively develop its transport, energy, water, and social infrastructure. In the energy sector, a national project for the modernization of the energy and utility sectors is set to be approved by the end of the year.<\/h5>\n<h5>Transport and logistics development is also a strategic priority, with an unprecedented 12,000 kilometers of roads slated for repair or construction this year. Additionally, efforts to expand the aviation hubs aim to double the annual handling of 150,000 tons of air cargo over the next four years.<\/h5>\n<h5>Digitalization is another critical area, with plans to open a National Center for Artificial Intelligence in Astana next year and complete the laying of a fiber-optic communication line across the Caspian Sea by 2025. This initiative is crucial for Kazakhstan\u2019s digital infrastructure and integration into the global digital economy.<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>\u00a0Gas infrastructure<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>Ensuring sufficient gas supply to the population is one of the government&#8217;s top priorities. Plans are in place to accelerate the construction of gas processing plants in key regions such as Zhanaozen, Kashagan, and Karachaganak. Furthermore, we are modernizing over 800 kilometers of the<em><strong> \u201cCentral Asia \u2013 Center\u201d<\/strong><\/em> gas pipeline and developing new gas reserves with an annual production target of one billion cubic meters.<\/h5>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sJ8arjbJ4P\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-june-july-2024\/\">Pakistan in the World \u2013 June\/July 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World \u2013 June\/July 2024&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-june-july-2024\/embed\/#?secret=gFRAOs4R02#?secret=sJ8arjbJ4P\" data-secret=\"sJ8arjbJ4P\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Water sector<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h5>In the water sector, the creation of water reserves from floodwaters for agricultural use is of paramount importance. This requires the repair and modernization of hydrological stations, which are vital for the sustainable management of our water resources.<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Enhancing Human Capital and Social Welfare<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>The government has initiated the internationalization of higher education, attracting 23 renowned foreign universities to Kazakhstan. Furthermore, 2025 will be declared the \u00abYear of Vocational Professions\u00bb and new honorary titles for engineers, geologists, transport workers, agricultural workers, and scientists will be introduced.<\/h5>\n<h5>The national project \u00abComfortable School\u00bb aims to build 217 modern schools by the end of 2025, while approximately 1,300 schools will undergo renovation over the next three years.<br \/>\nIn the health sector, there is a need to develop a unified package of basic state medical services that is balanced with budgetary capabilities.<\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Improving the environmental situation<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<h5>Kazakhstan is also committed to improving the environmental situation and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. The government is tasked with implementing advanced technologies and establishing modern emissions monitoring systems to mitigate environmental damage.<\/h5>\n<h5>Reforestation remains a crucial component of our environmental policy, and efforts to increase forest areas will continue, with the aim of making it a national movement.<\/h5>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sy6Lwvufgq\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-july-aug-2024\/\">Pakistan in the World &#8211; July \/ Aug 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World &#8211; July \/ Aug 2024&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-july-aug-2024\/embed\/#?secret=zQ0PUeZXnT#?secret=sy6Lwvufgq\" data-secret=\"sy6Lwvufgq\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Foreign Policy<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h5>Kazakhstan maintains a peace-loving and balanced foreign policy aimed at strengthening sovereignty, protecting citizens&#8217; rights abroad, promoting national interests, and attracting investments.<\/h5>\n<h5>Our country is committed to multilateral cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter and plays an active role in ensuring international security and stability. We support the efforts of the United Nations and other international organizations in combating terrorism, extremism, illegal migration, climate change, and other global threats.<\/h5>\n<h5>This year, Kazakhstan has successfully concluded its chairmanship and hosted significant international events of three important regional and international platforms: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).<\/h5>\n<h5>These organizations serve as crucial channels for fostering dialogue, security cooperation, and economic collaboration across Asia and beyond.<\/h5>\n<h5>One of the most significant events during our chairmanship in the SCO was the 24th meeting of the Heads of State Council, held in Astana on July 4, 2024. Chaired by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the meeting took place under the theme<em><strong> \u201cStrengthening Multilateral Dialogue \u2013 Striving towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n<h5>This theme encapsulates our vision for the region \u2014 a vision where inclusive dialogue and cooperation serve as the cornerstone for long-lasting peace, stability, and economic prosperity. We are excited about the upcoming Council of Heads of Government meeting this October in Islamabad. We extend our best wishes for its success and stand ready to support Pakistan in all its endeavors within the SCO framework.<\/h5>\n<h5>In addition to our achievements in international diplomacy, Kazakhstan has also proudly hosted significant cultural and sporting events that reflect our rich heritage and national identity.<\/h5>\n<h5>From September 8 to 13, the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, was the center of the <em><strong>5th World Nomad Games.<\/strong> <\/em>This event, deeply rooted in the traditions of nomadic civilizations, brought together approximately 2,800 participants from 89 countries. Over the course of a week, competitions were held across 21 traditional sports, celebrating the enduring spirit and skills of nomadic peoples.<\/h5>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"aP6767GMCV\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-aug-sep-2024\/\">Pakistan in the World \u2013 Aug \/ Sep 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World \u2013 Aug \/ Sep 2024&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-aug-sep-2024\/embed\/#?secret=1fFkUsAoC5#?secret=aP6767GMCV\" data-secret=\"aP6767GMCV\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Speech at the Conference hosted by Institute of Regional studies, Islamabad, Pakistan Islamabad: September 24, 2024 (Federal Minister Planning , Development and Special Initiatives , Ahsan Iqbal, President, Institute of Regional studies, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of foreign affairs of Pakistan, Ambassador Ahmad Naseem [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[1794,1795,126,491,490,143,1622,2169,251,47,48,954,58,4192,2373,1055],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34993"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34993"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35001,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34993\/revisions\/35001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}