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A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 363 / FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2014

UN Representatives from Landlocked Nations Meet in Almaty

Nation’s Capital Seeks to Become International Sports

Centre

FMs Advance Central Asia+Japan Dialogue at Bishkek Meeting

Also In The News

UN Representatives from Landlocked Nations Meet in Almaty

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Permanent representatives to the United Nations from landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) gathered for a retreat in Almaty from July 14-16 to discuss the implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action (APA), which was adopted at the international conference of LLDCs held in Almaty on Aug. 28-29, 2003.

Landlocked nations face unique challenges, Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov told retreat participants. “Lack of territorial access to the sea, remoteness and isolation from world markets, additional border crossings, cumbersome transit procedures and inefficient logistics systems make LLDCs pay 30 percent more for travel and other expenses during trading, which greatly exceeds the costs of seaside states,” he said.

The APA is a kind of a road map to meet the special needs of LLDCs. It contains financial and technical assistance, as well as measures and recommendations concerning transit and infrastructure development policies. The Jubilee Review Conference devoted to the implementation of the APA will take place in Vienna on Nov. 3-5.

The Almaty retreat is Kazakhstan’s contribution to the preparatory process of the Vienna conference and the interests of landlocked countries. “The ambassadorial retreat of LLDCs, in our view, should include the development of recommendations for inclusion in the global plan of action for the next period to achieve the objectives of the APA. As an important task in this regard, we need to focus our efforts on the adoption of legally-binding global and regional instruments, thus really protecting the interests of landlocked countries,” added Idrissov.

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked nation in the world. Since the adoption of the APA, the republic has made significant progress toward sustainable development.

“We are in a country whose leadership under President [Nursultan] Nazarbayev has been visionary and committed to promoting prosperity, security and the welfare of all the people of Kazakhstan by following a vigorous policy of building infrastructure, connecting Europe with Asia and creating logistic hubs with huge investment through the revival and modernisation of the old Silk Road. … The World Bank ranks Kazakhstan as one of top 50 most business-friendly countries in the world,” said UN Deputy Secretary General/High Representative on LLDCs Gyan Chandra Acharya, who also attended the retreat.”

UN representatives of landlocked developing countries at a recent meeting in Almaty

Executive Secretary of the Kazakh Ministry of Transport and Communications Zamir Saginov also briefed the gathering on Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop transport routes and use its geographical position to its greatest benefit. “There are projects being realised on the way to developing the Western Europe-Western China road corridor and railways in the east-west and northerly directions. ... These projects will join the so-called eastern and western gates of Kazakhstan at Horgos and the Aktau port, and the operation of rail crossing points with China [Zhetygen-Korgas] and Uzen [state border with Turkmenistan] will make it possible to transport goods toward the Middle East and Europe even sooner,” said Saginov.

“The ambassadorial retreat of LLDCs, in our view, should include the development of

recommendations for inclusion in the global plan of action for the next period to achieve the objectives of the APA. As an important task in this regard, we need to focus our efforts on the adoption of legally-binding global and regional instruments, thus really

protecting the interests of landlocked countries.”

- Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov

Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN and Chairman of the Group of Developing Countries Muaba Patricia Quasis Botha also noted that Kazakhstan’s candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2017-2018 is positively perceived by the other 30 landlocked countries as an opportunity to draw more attention to their problems.

In his address to the people of the nation concerning the Kazakhstan Strategy 2050, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the republic seeks to enter the top 30 most-developed countries by 2050. Many problems addressed in Strategy 2050 are consistent with the objectives of the APA. In this context, the achievement of such goals is directly correlated with the elimination of trade and transit barriers and the development of logistics infrastructure. These issues affect LLDCs most dramatically.

The retreat was also attended by representatives of other international organisations, including the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

FMs Advance Central Asia+Japan Dialogue at Bishkek Meeting

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Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov joined his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Japan in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on July 16 to review 10 years of cooperation within the Central Asia+Japan dialogue. The group also discussed ways to develop and strengthen partnerships in the coming decade.

The meeting’s agenda included such issues as increasing cooperation to achieve sustainable development based on Millennium Development Goals, combating illicit drug trafficking, addressing the situation in Afghanistan and preventing natural disasters.

In his remarks to the gathering, Idrissov expressed gratitude to Japan for its active promotion of the Central Asia+Japan dialogue, which is considered an important tool to strengthen cooperation among Central Asian countries and Japan. He also drew attention to the need to continue cooperation for peace and stability and to improve the welfare of citizens in the region, which faces increasing challenges and threats.

“Kazakhstan has been a friend and reliable partner of Japan in Central Asia. We are willing to make joint efforts to continue the dialogue for the benefit of the development and prosperity of the Central Asian region and to strengthen ties with Japan. We are optimistic about the future

of relations between the two countries, which are based on mutual respect and trust,” - Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov

“In this context, Kazakhstan supports strengthening the Central Asia+Japan dialogue and, within it, the search for pragmatic and viable projects and cooperation mechanisms. Our activities are intended not only to create conditions for cooperation, as well as to strengthen and develop economic relations, but also to lead to the growth of genuine political trust and, ultimately, to create conditions [for security] in the vast part of the Asian continent,” said Idrissov.

The ministerial meeting also included an exchange of views on deepening cooperation in agriculture, which, according to previous

Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Japan met recently in Bishkek to discuss the Central Asia+Japan dialogue

agreements, was selected as the pilot area for closer cooperation among the participating states of the dialogue. During the meeting, the ministers agreed to implement specific agricultural projects. They also signed a joint statement.

Within the ministerial meeting, Idrissov met with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. The meeting was marked by high-level discussions of bilateral relations, in particular the importance of visits at the highest levels, prospects for further promotion of trade and economic cooperation, cooperation within multilateral diplomacy and a regular exchange of views on international issues.

“Kazakhstan has been a friend and reliable partner of Japan in Central Asia. We are willing to make joint efforts to continue the dialogue for the benefit of the development and prosperity of the Central Asian region and to strengthen ties with Japan. We are optimistic about the future of relations between the two countries, which are based on mutual respect and trust,” Idrissov said.

Before the meeting on July 15, Idrissov also met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Erlan Abdyldayev to discuss Kazakh-Kyrgyz bilateral cooperation, regional cooperation and international issues. The two also specifically discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, economic relations, investment, agriculture and in the water-energy sector.

The Kazakh and Kyrgyz foreign ministers also signed a Programme of Cooperation for 2014-2015 to strengthen political dialogue between the two countries.

“There is significant potential for economic cooperation between our countries. We need to deepen our trade and economic relations and actively encourage the expansion of mutual trade,” Idrissov noted.

The Central Asia+Japan dialogue is a new form of cooperation initiated by Japan in 2004 to expand and strengthen ties with Central Asian countries as well as to increase regional cooperation. The dialogue has become an important platform for the discussion of issues related to the region’s political, economic and security challenges.

Nation’s Capital Seeks to Become International Sports Centre

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Kazakhstan’s young and ambitious capital, Astana, is now striving to be a centre of sports as well as politics.

Studies show that one in every four residents of Astana is engaged in some kind of sport. Swimming, boxing, wrestling, football, fitness, athletics and cycling are especially popular in the capital. Over the last five years, the number of individuals regularly engaged in physical exercise and sport in Astana has more than doubled and now is about 168,230 people out of 825,374 city residents.

The popularity of sport in general is growing, as the country continues to build new fitness and sports facilities, prepares to host the Universiade in 2017 and also is bidding to host the Winter Olympics in 2022.

Over the past 16 years, the number of sports facilities in Astana has grown from 76 to 600. Last year alone, 37 public playgrounds in courtyards and school yards were built and more than 100 sports grounds were rebuilt at the expense of regional budgets.

As the population’s interest in sport grows, the country’s organised sport clubs are also seeing more success. Kazakhstan’s national boxing team is a recent success story. It held the Kazakhstan President’s Cup for the fourth time on July 13 and won a staggering 17 medals: seven gold, four silver and six bronze. The event drew 106 boxers from 12 countries.

The podium was taken by Birzhan Zhakipov (49 kg), Kairat Yeraliyev (56 kg), Berik Abdrakhmanov (60 kg) Daniyar Yeleusinov (69 kg), Janibek Alimhanuly (75 kg), Adilbek Niyazymbetov (81 kg) and Ivan Dychko (more than 91 kg). Silver medals went to Zhanbolat Tilegenuly (56 kg), Sagadat Rahmankulov (69 kg), Dauren Yeleusinov (81 kg) and Anton Pinchuk (91 kg). Bronze medals were awarded to Zhomart Yerzhan (49 kg), Ilyas Suleimenov (52 kg), Almasbek Alibekov (64 kg), Askar Abdullayev (91 kg), Nurjan Bekzatov and Kamshybek Konkabaev (more than 91 kg).

At almost the same time, on the other side of the planet, Kazakh judo fighters won six medals over July 12-13 at the European Seniors Judo Cup in Sindelfingen, Germany. Azamat Mukanov won gold in the 73-kilogramme category while countryman Sergey Lim collected the silver. Yeldos Smetov (66 kg), Samat Yessen (90 kg), Aziz Kalkamanuly (90 kg) and Yerzhan Shynkeyev (more than 100 kg) brought in bronze medals.

On July 14, the Korean city of Gyeongju hosted the 10th Open International Taekwondo Tournament, which attracted more than 70 countries. Kazakhstan’s Feruza Yergeshova took silver in the 73-kilogramme category, only giving up the gold to 2012 Olympic champion Milis Mandic of Serbia.

Kazakhstan’s national football team are gearing up for a friendly with Croatia. The match is set to take place in Almaty on August 12. The Croatian squad is currently ranked 18th by the international soccer governing body, FIFA.

Astana is preparing to host the 2014 President’s Tennis Cup from July 21-27. The cup has a prize of $225,000. The tournament will be held on the courts of the national tennis centre near the central park.

With increasing frequency, representatives of world sports organisations and federations are holding their tournaments in Astana, demonstrating their trust in the country and the city. The capital plays host to such high-level tournaments as World Cup stages and licenses competitions and continental and world championships. In 2013, a total of 515 sport events were held in Astana, including 102 national tournaments and 37 world-class competitions. In the first half of 2014, 306 specialised sport events have already been held.

Kazakh boxing stars Serik Sapiyev (left), Daniyar Yeleusinov (centre) and Adilbek Niyazymbetov

Match during the international tournament of boxing for the Cup of the President of Kazakhstan

Also In The News... • Kazakhstanintroducesvisa-freeregimefor10countries

A pilot programme will allow citizens from 10 countries – the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea and Japan – to travel within Kazakhstan for 15 days without a visa. The visa-free regimes went into effect on July 15 and will run for an initial test period of one year. There is no limit on the number of visits an individual may make. First Deputy of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Rapil Zhoshybayev told reporters at a Central Communication Service briefing that the initiative is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, creating favourable conditions for potential foreign investors and attracting tourists to Kazakhstan. “This will also allow Kazakhstan to actively develop the tourism sphere. Besides, a multiplicative effect is expected in the development of small and medium business, creating new jobs and income for the budget,” he said. Zhoshybayev added that Kazakhstan will expand its visa-free regime to include more countries. (mfa.kz)

• ParentsofnewbornstobegivenchilddevelopmentcardsAt the recommendation of the the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health has proposed that each child be issued a child development card to collect information from physicians as well as parents on the child’s growth and development from birth to age five. The cards are intended to be a guide to normal development and to teach parents to observe and store data on their child’s growth, development and health. They will also contain recommendations from physicians on how to breastfeed babies and how to do exercises with children to encourage normal physiological and physical development. The monitoring the card will support is intended to alert parents and doctors to any developmental concerns as soon as possible. The cards will be distributed in maternity wards. (primeminister.kz)

• AstanahostsInternationalPhysicsOlympiadforstudentsThe International Physics Olympiad for students is being held at Nazarbayev University from July 13-21. Speaking at a Central Communication Service (CCS) briefing on July 14, Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan Aslan Sarinzhipov said that this year about 700 participants from 86 countries have come to Astana to take part in the 45th International Physics Olympiad. The event is intended to reveal and develop the interest of high school students in research work, support talented children and promote physics. At the Olympiad, Kazakhstan will be represented by Amir Bralin, Danat Issa, Dinmukhammed Nurbek, Nurislam Tursynbek and Daulet Kurmantayev. All are participants of many national and international contests and holders of medals and awards. (ortcom.kz)

• KazakhathletesprepareforAsianGamesinSouthKoreaOver 400 athletes from Kazakhstan will participate in the upcoming 17th Asian Games in Icheon, South Korea. According to Yelsiyar Kanagatov, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Sports and Physical Education Agency, Kazakh athletes will participate in 39 sports during the games. “All in all, we are expecting the participation of over 400, possibly up to 500, of our sportsmen in 39 sports,” Kanagatov said. The 17th Asian Games, officially known as the 17th Asiad, will host over 13,000 athletes and coaches from 45 countries from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4. The programme includes 41 Olympic sports and nine non-Olympics sports, with 437 sets of medals to be distributed. Over 7,000 media representatives will cover the games. “Our goal is to win 26 gold medals in 15 sports to guarantee Kazakhstan fourth place in the overall team rating,” the chairman said. Kazakhstan has a good chance of winning gold medals in weightlifting, track and field and rowing and canoeing, he said. (tengrinews.kz)

• ImplementationofKazakhstan’sculturalpolicydiscussedProminent figures in national culture discussed new principles and mechanisms for the implementation of cultural policy in Kazakhstan in a round-table discussion at the National Academic Library in Astana on July 14. A draft concept for policy implementation was presented by the Kazakh Research Institute of Culture. Vice Minister of Culture Askar Buribaev stressed that the preservation and enrichment of Kazakhstan’s national and world cultural heritage should be ensured. Chief editor of the Kazakhfilm film studio Didar Amantay emphasised the need to use modern information technologies to manage the cultural sphere. Work has begun on the transfer of rare books and manuscripts into digital formats, he said. “The concept provides for the transition of 1,840,000 books collected in Kazakhstan to digital formats. The cultural heritage of different eras that has become exclusive in the future will be available to every reader,” he said. Most participants agreed that the adoption of a comprehensive cultural policy will be a breakthrough step in advancing Kazakh culture in the world community. The Kazakh Ministry of Culture has begun to develop a long-term concept of cultural policy within the framework of President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Kazakhstan Strategy 2050. (strategy2050.kz)

• Astana-MoscowinternationalpassengertraintoreceivenewcarsInternational passenger train No. 71/72, Astana-Moscow, will be outfitted with new, modern passenger wagons this summer. By the middle of August, 18 passenger cars on all three trains are to be replaced. The new passenger wagons will be equipped with modern central air conditioning systems, information displays, video monitors, video surveillance systems and special compartments for passengers with limited physical abilities. (temirzholy.kz)

• BestuniversitiesinKazakhstanrankedThe best universities of Kazakhstan have been ranked by experts of the Independent Kazakhstan Quality Assurance Agency in Education (IQAA). Fifty-two education institutions were ranked in different categories. The leaders this year in comprehensive high eduction institutions, as in previous years, are Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and Auezov South Kazakhstan State University. The Kazakh-British Technical University, the Satpayev Kazakh National Technical University and Kazakh National Agrarian University remain among the best technical higher education institutions. KIMEP University and the Karaganda Economic University of Kazpotrebsoyuz have kept their top positions among humanitarian and economic institutions and are joined by the International Academy of Business (Almaty Management University). Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, the Kazakh State Women’s Teacher Training University and the Pavlodar State Pedagogical Institute were ranked the best teaching institutions, and Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Karaganda State Medical University and Semey State Medical University were ranked the top medical institutions. (iqaa.kz)

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