By Raza Syed
ASTANA, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan, a nation emerging as a major global player, recently welcomed distinguished journalists from around the world to an important press briefing on current global affairs.
The press briefing held in the heart of Central Asia and the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.
The gathering took place at a time when international tensions were rising and global order was being established, providing an opportunity to discuss key issues and find solutions.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko, a key figure in the country’s diplomatic efforts, opened the briefing and highlighting Kazakhstan’s commitment to promoting international cooperation.
Referring to a recent article by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev published in The Jerusalem Post, he told media that the Kazakh president in his article emphasized about strengthening inter-civilizational dialogue and strengthening trust in an environment of growing geopolitical turmoil.
The Kazakh president has also emphasized the importance of developing new methods for a prominent initiative discussed at the briefing was the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which emerged in response to growing religious differences and extremism following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Over the past two decades, the Congress has played an important role in maintaining peace and stability in Kazakhstan’s multicultural and multi-confessional society, the deputy foreign minister added.
The deputy foreign minister added that Kazakhstan has proudly hosted the Triennial Congress of Religious Leaders since 2003, with the last event attracting participants from nearly 50 countries representing various religions including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism, and more. Notably, the country had the honor of hosting Pope Francis, the second papal visit to Kazakhstan, following Pope John Paul II’s visit in 2001.
Roman Vassilenko told the journalists about President Tokayev’s recent speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly that the President of Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of a culture of peace based on unity and mutual respect in his speech. He urged nations to reaffirm their commitment to a diplomatic solution under the UN Charter and universally recognized international law.
Roman Vassilenko highlighted the destructive threat of nuclear weapons, calling for a world free of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan’s historic move in 1991 to close the Semiplatansk nuclear test site and voluntarily relinquish the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal from the Soviet Union underscored its commitment to global stability and a nuclear-weapon-free world.
While addressing the impact of climate change, the deputy foreign minister told that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for transformative measures to protect the environment and the importance of investing in green jobs. Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to act as a regional hub for food supply, helping to end the global food crisis. These commitments and initiatives reflect Kazakhstan’s determination to address global challenges and promote international cooperation.
Journalists in attendance were encouraged to raise awareness of these critical issues in their respective countries as their implementation could greatly benefit the world.
Throughout the briefing, the role of Kazakhstan and its deputy foreign minister as a bridge between East and West in solving global problems was emphasized.
