Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the first Summit of Heads of State participating in the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).
At the beginning of his speech, the head of state expressed gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the excellent organization of the summit, and also greeted the leaders of the Central Asian countries and the honored guests of the event.
“Kazakhstan, as the initiator of the creation of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia in 1997, notes with satisfaction that it has become an effective platform for expanding regional cooperation and integration into global economic processes. Our meeting today is very symbolic, since it takes place in the year of the 25th anniversary of the Special Program Last year, under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan, we strengthened cooperation in key areas of the Program and took important steps towards its practical implementation,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
According to him, Kazakhstan highly appreciates the contribution that Azerbaijan makes to the development of SPECA and strengthening cooperation between the regions of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The culmination of the enormous work was today’s historic Summit of the Heads of State of SPECA participants.
“I am confident that the results of the meeting will expand the horizons of our multifaceted cooperation, based on the principles of openness, mutual respect and trust. In the context of geopolitical fragmentation and a rapidly changing global economic environment, the importance of the Special Program is only increasing. Based on common interests, let me present to you my vision for the further development of SPECA . The principles of sustainable development have become the basis of the national strategies and programs of our states. Today in Kazakhstan, 80% of the state budget is already synchronized with the goals of sustainable development. The primary task of our Government is to ensure universal access to quality education and healthcare. The new Social Code, which has entered into force, has strengthened the protection of the vulnerable categories of citizens," the president said.
Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan intends to continue implementing this Program to ensure an inclusive future in which all citizens can equally benefit from social, technological and economic progress. The achievement of these goals will be facilitated by Kazakhstan's initiative to create the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
“Our countries have great opportunities for expanding trade and mutually beneficial cooperation. Already today we are noticing a progressive increase in trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the SPECA member countries. Last year, the volume of mutual trade increased by a third and amounted to about $10 billion. I believe that in the foreseeable future we have every opportunity to double this figure. We are able to provide each other with various goods at competitive prices, reducing imports from other countries. Kazakhstan is ready to increase the export of its products to the SPECA countries in 175 non-commodity product items worth $2.3 billion. Creation " "green" corridors, the elimination of various barriers will give a significant impetus to our trade cooperation, including in such industries as construction, chemical and food industries. We are also ready to consider relevant proposals from our partners,” the head of state emphasized.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes that within the framework of SPECA there is great potential in the field of industrial cooperation. In this regard, it seems promising to combine the experience and efforts of our engineering companies in the development and production of innovative models of machinery and equipment for the energy sector, transport and logistics, agriculture and water management. The President is confident that the implementation of large-scale projects in the production sector on a parity basis will strengthen the global competitiveness of the states of the region.
“Kazakhstan strives to make a significant contribution to ensuring food security. Over the past 5 years, we have doubled the volume of agricultural production and are now exporting it to more than 80 countries. We intend to actively work in this direction with the SPECA countries. Special attention should be paid to the creation of tools for stimulating investment cooperation between the SPECA countries. In this regard, it seems extremely relevant to establish the SPECA Trust Fund under the auspices of the UN to promote economic development and integration. Considering the importance of the Special Program, Kazakhstan is ready to make a financial contribution to the Fund," said the leader of Kazakhstan.
In his opinion, the region today plays a huge role in the development and diversification of international transport and transit routes. The head of state believes that the SPECA countries have become a continental bridge between Europe and Asia.
“This is a colossal advantage that we need to develop. We pin great hopes in this regard on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. I am confident that the connection of the Middle Corridor with the Belt and Road project, as well as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and strategy The Global Gateway will add a powerful multiplier effect to global trade. At the same time, Kazakhstan is ready for active cooperation on the development of the North-South corridor. Over the past 15 years, our country has invested more than $35 billion in transport infrastructure. Over the next three years, we plan to build more than 1,300 kilometers of railways. This will increase capacity in the direction of China, South Asia, Russia and Europe. I invite all partners to mutually beneficial cooperation to expand the capacity of the Caspian Sea ports, as well as the joint production of transport ships. We count on active technical and expert support from UNECE and ESCAP,” noted Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Along with this, cooperation in the field of ecology is of great importance. The leader of Kazakhstan considers it important to begin joint research and applied work on environmental and climate issues, as well as the management of transboundary water resources. According to him, these issues affect all SPECA countries, and it is impossible to achieve success here alone. A clear confirmation of this is the tragedy of the Aral Sea, the consequences of which are felt not only in the countries of the region, but also far beyond its borders.
“Next year, Kazakhstan, as chairman of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, will focus on strengthening work to prevent environmental degradation of what was once one of the largest closed reservoirs in the world. Of great concern is the difficult environmental situation in the Caspian Sea, associated with shallowing and a sharp decrease in water flow , reduction of biological resources and anthropogenic pollution. Saving the Caspian Sea should become a priority of long-term international cooperation. I call on all interested parties to develop a common action plan to improve the condition of this unique body of water. I am convinced that our mutually beneficial cooperation will strengthen the status of the Caspian Sea as a sea of peace and new opportunities," he said the president.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Kazakhstan has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. He called on SPECA leaders to intensify joint efforts on the transition to alternative energy sources and support the Kazakh initiative to create a Central Asian Project Office on climate issues in Almaty.
“Interaction in the field of digital technologies and artificial intelligence opens up broad prospects. The rapid development of artificial intelligence poses urgent challenges for us to transform production, the labor market and the service sector. In our country, more than 90% of public services are provided electronically, and the share of non-cash transactions has exceeded 80 %. The volume of exports from the IT industry increased 5-fold last year alone. We intend to increase this figure to one billion dollars by 2026,” the head of state emphasized.
The leader of Kazakhstan noted that Astana supports the process of institutionalization of SPECA, designed to fully unleash its enormous potential for the effective promotion of multifaceted trade, economic and investment cooperation between the countries of the region.
“Moreover, in the future we would be glad to see new SPECA participants - representatives of partner states and UN institutions. I propose to the governments of our countries to create a special SPECA working group. In addition, taking this opportunity, I propose to hold a special SPECA panel session on the sidelines of the next International Forum Astana ", which will take place in June next year. This high-level event is designed to unite the efforts of the world community to find consolidated responses to the unprecedented challenges of our time. I would also like to propose Kazakhstan as the host of one of the next SPECA summits at a mutually agreed time," Kasym noted -Zhomart Tokayev.
At the end of his speech, the President expressed confidence that today's summit will allow us to develop specific mechanisms for increasing the effectiveness of the Special Program and will further strengthen friendship and strategic partnership between the countries.
During the summit, speeches were made by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Khojamurad Geldimuradov, Executive Secretary of the European Economic UN Commission Tatiana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Armida Salsia Alisjabana, as well as Secretary General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Jassem Al-Budaiwi.
By the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
