Dear Yerzhan Khoseevich (Special Representative of Kazakhstan for International Affairs),
Ladies and gentlemen!
I would like to thank the organisers for inviting me to take part in the 6th meeting of the Astana Club on the theme: "Thirty Years of Independence: Nazarbayev's Strategy and the Future of Kazakhstan and Central Asia".
The establishment of independent Kazakhstan, its progressive development and the assumption of a worthy place on the international stage are closely linked to the name of the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev.
The creation of a new political system, taking into account the interests of ordinary citizens, expanding their rights to participate in government, forming and strengthening the institutions of democracy, and developing Kazakhstan's identity and unity are important.
It succeeded in defining a Kazakhstan model of economic development focused on the widespread introduction of digital technologies, increasing competitiveness, balanced regional development, modernization and diversification of production and enhancing the quality of goods and services.
The name of the First President of Kazakhstan is associated with the growing prestige of the country in the international arena.
He was the initiator of large-scale innovative ideas that have attracted the attention of the international community.
Nursultan Abishevich was among the first to support the initiative of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to convene the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the first meeting of which took place on 15 March 2018 in the capital of Kazakhstan.
It is notable that while addressing the Astana Club in November 2017, he said: "I think that a quarter of a century later everyone understands that it is God's will that we, the states of Central Asia, which share a common history, religion, culture and mentality, should be together, help each other and together ensure security in this region".
The high authority and significant merits of the First President of Kazakhstan in deepening regional interaction were the basis for his election as Honorary Chairman of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia during the second Tashkent meeting in November 2019.
Cooperation among Central Asian states has achieved important positive results in recent years, including through its active efforts.
The political atmosphere in the region is changing dramatically, as exemplified by regional alignment and the restoration of trust and mutual understanding.
Thanks to the political will and joint efforts of the Central Asian leaders, solutions have been promptly found on many complex and controversial issues on the basis of reasonable compromises and taking into account the interests of all countries in the region.
In recent years, against the backdrop of intensified regional cooperation among the Central Asian countries, unprecedented results have been achieved in all spheres of interaction.
The relations have reached the level of deepened strategic partnership, which is being filled with concrete content.
Political dialogue at the highest level has intensified significantly, inter-parliamentary, inter-agency and inter-regional ties have activated.
As the analysis shows, the results of these meetings have been unprecedented in their outcomes.
Most importantly, these positive changes were supported by the population of all the countries in the region, and were also praised globally.
The current trend towards regional convergences in Central Asia is an important factor for revival of the former potential of the Great Silk Road, understanding of commonality and indivisibility of destinies of brotherly peoples.
Observers stress that Central Asia has created the most conducive atmosphere for converting the high level of trust into practical results that would contribute to the region's rapid development.
New economic opportunities are opening up and the investment attractiveness of Central Asia is increasing.
Analysts point out that over the next 10 years, foreign investment into the region could potentially reach up to 170 billion dollars, of which 40 to 70 billion dollars could come from non-raw material industries.
In an era of interconnectedness, regional cooperation is crucial for Central Asian countries to take full advantage of increased trade and investment flows, as well as to better integrate into global supply chains.
According to national statistical offices in Central Asia, total trade flows in the region in 2018 were around 11 billion dollar, an increase of 35.2 per cent compared 2017.
The region is rapidly becoming an increasingly interconnected arena, and removing barriers to the flow of goods, services and capital is becoming increasingly important.
Harmonization of logistics and trade rules and infrastructure standards is particularly relevant for the geographically landlocked countries of Central Asia, which typically face higher trade costs.
Experts at the Brooklyn Institute (USA) predict that each of the five Central Asian economies would grow by more than 20% if policies were reformed to improve transport and logistics capabilities.
At the same time, the current conditions of a rapidly changing global environment, aggravating security threats and increasing factors related to the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, which negatively affect the stable development of the countries of the region, requires further strengthening of cooperation among Central Asian countries on the basis of mutual trust and coordination of efforts.
At the same time, it is important the solving one of the acute regional and global problems — ensuring peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan, which historically and geopolitically is an integral part of the Central Asian region.
The countries of the region see the need to look at Afghanistan not as a problem, but as a strategic opportunity and new prospects for mutually beneficial regional cooperation.
The importance of regional cooperation for trade and transit development is obvious, especially when one considers that 20 percent (about $2 billion) of Afghanistan's trade volume is accounted for by the five Central Asian countries.
At the same time, trade is steadily increasing year by year.
The initiatives of the Central Asian states towards Afghanistan aimed at the active involvement of Kabul in regional integration processes and making the country an indivisible part of the Central Asian region are of particular importance and are fully supported by the SCO and the international community.
SCO supports efforts of states aimed at ensuring peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and entire Central Asian region, which is the core of the Organization and stands for its further social and economic development.
At the same time SCO consider it crucial to establish in Afghanistan an inclusive Government with representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups of Afghan society
It is also important to note that following the results of the SCO Anniversary Summit in Dushanbe, the chairmanship of the Organization passed to the Uzbek side.
Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, attaches great attention to the Afghan issue, takes effective steps in this direction and becomes an active participant in international efforts to restore peaceful life in Afghanistan.
In order to consolidate efforts and widely discuss issues of political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed regularly holding high-level meetings in the SCO-Afghanistan format, with the involvement of observer states and dialogue partners.
The readiness to organize the first such meeting in Tashkent next year was expressed.
Dear participants of the Forum,
In conclusion, I would like to express my belief that the results of the 6th meeting of Astana Club will promote global solidarity, prevent escalation and politicization of conflicts, make an important contribution to the formation of a more representative, democratic, equitable and multipolar world order, and further strengthen cooperation among Central Asian states, and ensure security and prosperity of the region.
Thank you for your attention!