Kazinform offers its readers the full text of the speech delivered by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly's 74th session in New York, the U.S.
Mr. President,
Achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world remains a top priority for my country. This aspiration has become an essential part of the nation-wide identity of Kazakh people, giving us the moral right to be at the forefront of global movement to eliminate nuclear weapons.
We stem from the firm conviction that nuclear weapons are no longer an asset, but a danger to global peace and stability. Unfortunately, some countries still rely in their strategic defense calculations on nuclear arsenals, prompting their rivals to consider acquiring asymmetric responses. but equally deadly types of WMD’s. Leading by example Kazakhstan works hard to alter these misperceptions.
Under the strong leadership of the First President Nursultan Nazarbayev Kazakhstan closed down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and voluntarily renounced the fourth largest nuclear arsenal in the world. These acts were the first step in our long and successful journey towards a global championship in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Among our contributions to this noble cause I would mention the establishment of the unique nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, hosting the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank, adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the International Day against Nuclear Tests, and the recent ratification of the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
We all should stand resolutely for the Universal Declaration on the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World as our roadmap to a safer future. We also aim for enhanced cooperation among nuclear weapons free zones and creation of new ones. Kazakhstan believes that the current issues on Iran’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula should be settled only by political means, with due respect to each other’s interests and concerns.
Distinguished delegates,
My country has always been a steadfast supporter of preventive diplomacy and mediation on the global stage. As early as in 1992, Kazakhstan’s First President from this rostrum proposed to convene the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia as a platform for collective approaches to address security challenges.
Over time, CICA has proved its expediency and viability. We are grateful to all our partners who have embraced this process. The growing economic might of Asia demands a more integrated continental security architecture. It is time to transform CICA into a full-fledged regional organization for security and development. As Chair of CICA in 2020, we will put our efforts to this end. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the previous two years, we focused on strengthening security, non-proliferation and regional cooperation, confirming our commitment to the cause of peace.
Kazakhstan contributes to UN peacekeeping by co-deploying with our Indian partners a 120-strong unit to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon as well as by providing military observers. We are also proud that Kazakhstan has turned into a global center for dialogue of religions and civilizations. Since 2003, our capital has been honoured to convene the triennial Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions supported by the UN.
Ladies and gentlemen,
All of us are observing with alarm developments in the Middle East, the cradle of human civilization, which is plagued by mutual hatred and violence. We, therefore, stand ready to support bilateral and multilateral actions aimed at finding viable peace and confidence-building solutions. As a good example of our commitment to inclusive dialogue, Kazakhstan provides a platform for inter-Syrian negotiations. Thirteen such rounds have taken place in our capital. Thanks to the Astana Process, which complements the Geneva talks, the cessation of hostilities has been reached.
The de-escalation zones with conditions for a safe return of refugees have also been established. We all know that conflicts are devastating and give rise to terrorism and extremism. These challenges can only be defeated by joint actions through a Global Anti-Terrorism Network under the auspices of the UN. As a counter-terrorism measure, Kazakhstan initiated the Code of Conduct towards Achieving a World Free of Terrorism by the UN Centenary in 2045, and urge to join it.
This year, Kazakhstan successfully accomplished a special humanitarian mission, «Zhusan», in cooperation with our international partners. As a result, 595 Kazakh citizens trapped by terrorist propaganda, including 406 children, returned back home from the war zones in Syria. We are ready to share our experience with other countries and urge them to take similar actions.
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