The 17th Cross-Border Cooperation Forum with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Vladimir Putin of Russia in virtual format has begun in Kokshetau city. On the occasion, the Kazakh head of state confirmed that Kazakhstan pledges to become carbon neutral by 2060.
“Due to climate change the direction towards economic decarbonization is enhancing around the world. With that background, many countries declared to achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of the century. New regulatory mechanisms, including a carbon border tax within the European Union, are being implemented. Kazakhstan as well as Russia is one of the energy-intensive countries in the world,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Kazakh President, at the 17th Kazakhstan-Russia Cross-Border Cooperation Forum.
According to him, manufacturing accounts for over 50% of the country’s industrial output. the country generates 70% of its electricity from coal.
“It is quite a real and rational task. To achieve a zero-emission balance structural industrial and economic changes will be needed,” he said.
The Kazakh President pointed to Russia’s productive work in the area and called for joint work on the issue and exchange of experiences and developments as the country has been working on a long-term low carbon development strategy.
Also, Tokayev proposed for consideration an opportunity to build state reserves in the Northern Caspian for the Caspian seal habitation, Kazinform reports.
“Kazakhstan and Russia boast rich and unique flora and fauna. The same time, there is much concern about a decrease in population of the Caspian seal that has been listed in the Red Book in both countries, Kazakhstan and Russia. It is crucial to take emergency measures to preserve the unique specimen, protect their habitation and breeding area,” the Kazakh President told the Forum. To this end, the Head of State suggested creating state reserves in the Northern Caspian.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev talked about the joint projects with Russia in the industrial cooperation field while addressing the 17th Kazakhstan-Russia Cross-Border Cooperation Forum taking place in virtual format, Kazinform correspondent reports.
At the Forum, the Kazakh Head of State noted that the most favorable conditions for investors carrying out offshore projects are in place in the country. He said that the Government in close cooperation with the investment community has come up with the new investment mechanism – an improved model contract, which, according to him, provides legal protection and stability of investments as well as provides for an updated package of preferences.
Welcoming Russian partners to implement new projects, Tokayev noted that since 2019 the joint action program in the field of industrial cooperation has been carrying out successfully. He pointed to the three projects that have so far been completed, they are the plant for Kirovets tractor production, Hyundai car production plant, and the project for manufacturing Gaz vehicles’ components.
“This April the construction of a plant making 3.5 million tyres a year was launched with the participation of Tatar President Rustam Minikhanov. The project is very important as it decreases dependency on imports from other countries,” said the Kazakh Head of State.
Reported by Kazinform.
