A WEEKLY ONLINE PUBLICATION / WWW.MFA.GOV.KZ ISSUE NO. 473 / FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Kazakh President Attends G20 Summit in Hanghzou

Also In The NewsIn Focus:Foreign Policy Priorities

Kazakh, Chinese Presidents Agree to More Economic

Cooperation

Neurosurgeon Brings Lifesaving Treatments to Kazakhstan

Winners Announced in Journalism Contest Showcasing Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Attends G20 Summit in Hanghzou

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Kazakhstan was among the eight countries attending the G20 Summit as a guest nation and President Nursultan Nazarbayev used the international forum to advance his views regarding a unified stance towards global development. The 11th meeting of the international conference was held Sept. 4-5 in Hangzhou, China.

Addressing the leaders of the world’s leading industrialised and emerging economies, the platform offered the opportunity to speak to leaders whose nations represent 85 percent of the world GDP, 80 percent of its trade and two-thirds of its population. He noted the two-day event was being held at a complicated time, Akorda’s press office reported.

“The rates of global economic growth, trade and capital flows are decreasing. It affects the welfare of millions of people. The formation of new transcontinental trade and investment associations may lead to a decrease of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) role and fragmentation of the world economy. These processes may become a start for a new stage of a war in the international markets,” he said.

The Kazakh leader reiterated his proposal of establishing a single organisation to unite the actions of all nations and promote worldwide development. He initially advanced the idea in September 2015 at the at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“Such kind of structure can be created through the transformation of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) into the Global Development Council, which should serve as a global economic regulator,” he said.

While the current coordination of monetary and fiscal policies and structural reform is important, Nazarbayev noted it is insufficient to ensure long-term stability. He suggested developing more substantive proposals to stabilise exchange rates around the world, including the developing countries, by expanding the summit beyond its present national and organisational membership to include all countries “on the principles of inclusiveness.”

The President noted the country supports implementing the UN’s sustainable development goals, the Paris agreements and the principles of green economy and gave a pitch for EXPO 2017 in Astana, the international exhibition featuring the theme Future Energy.

G20 Hangzhou Summit participants

Nazarbayev concluded by noting Kazakhstan’s vision of the world’s most pressing issues was presented in the manifesto “The World. The 21st Century.” He expressed hope for backing in implementing its ideas and formation of a world free from nuclear weapons.

Like many large gatherings, much of the work was accomplished in small settings. Nazarbayev met with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United States President Barack Obama.

The head of state also spoke with Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, a family of Internet-based businesses. They specifically talked about the prospects of expanding its activities in Kazakhstan, including potential joint projects in electronic commerce and payment systems integration.

An analysis of the G20 Summit was provided by John Kirton, of the University of Toronto in Canada, who said the forum guarantees success is solving many problematic questions. He suggested the best results can be achieved when the strongest leaders of the strongest world countries meet face to face for several hours.

“President Nursultan Nazarbayev moved the country towards an environmentally-friendly and green model of innovative economy, while at the same time maintaining energy security for all.”

“The Silk Road runs from Chinese Hangzhou to German Hamburg, which will host the following G20 Summit next year. Kazakhstan is located in the middle of this way. Thus, the interconnected country serves as a global hub, which will benefit the whole world,” said Kirton.

The Kazakh leader reiterated his proposal of establishing a single organisation to unite the actions of all nations and promote worldwide development. He initially advanced the idea in September 2015 at the at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Kazakh, Chinese Presidents Agree to More Economic Cooperation

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President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev met Chinese President Xi Jinping and attended the G20 Summit and associated meetings while in China this week.

At his Sept. 2 bilateral meeting with Xi, the presidents discussed a range of topics important to their cooperation, including prospects for strengthening interaction in trade, investments, transit and transport, fuel and energy, as well as cultural and humanitarian activities, the Akorda press office reported.

Nazarbayev noted that the countries’ years of cooperation had increased their confidence in each other.

“Our connection is an example of interstate relations. We have created a model of a strategic partnership, as well as raised our economic cooperation to a new level. The governments of Kazakhstan and China are actively working on the tasks that were put forward earlier. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, and the following year will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is a very important date,” he said.

Nazarbayev also commended Xi’s work in hosting the G20 Summit. “The Chinese presidency was held in a difficult period. The agenda you have prepared is very important at the current stage of development. Today the G20 is concentrated on economic issues, which contributes to the solution of the most urgent tasks for the whole world,” said Nazarbayev.

Both leaders said they hoped the summit would help identify new ways to develop the world economy and become a new driving force for global economic growth.

Xi called Kazakhstan a significant player in the economic development of the region and the world, and expressed gratitude for his neighbour’s contribution to global dialogue.

“During our meeting in Beijing last year, we signed a joint declaration on a new stage in our relations. Currently, the bilateral partnership is developing in all fields. Taking into account the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and

China, there is a need to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation and focus on strengthening strategic coordination on the basis of sincerity, mutual trust and assistance,” Xi said.

Following the talks, a number of documents were signed, including a cooperation plan for pairing Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol and China’s Silk Road Economic Belt programmes; a protocol on amending the 2004 agreement between the governments to establish a cooperation committee between the two countries; and protocols between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture and China’s Directorate of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on quarantine and health requirements for equine animals and phytosanitary requirements for soybeans exported from Kazakhstan to China.

Both leaders said they hoped the summit would help identify new ways to develop the world economy and become a new driving force for global economic growth.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping

Winners Announced in Journalism Contest Showcasing Kazakhstan

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Mahatma Gandhi once said “it is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never able to know ourselves fully as we are.” Those involved with the Kazakh press have taken his words to heart.

The Kazakh Foreign Ministry hosted a ceremony Sept. 6 to award the winners of the third annual “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media” contest. The event, held in Astana, was organised by the Ministry and the country’s Club of Chief Editors and attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps and sponsors.

“The media as a ‘fourth’ estate of power performs vital educational and ideological work, forms the informational space and has a huge impact on public opinion,” said Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov in welcoming the winners.

Sixty entries from 29 countries were submitted for consideration. Idrissov noted the quality of the applications and continued growing interest in Kazakhstan’s development and upcoming major events, such as EXPO 2017 and next year’s Winter Universiade in Almaty.

The winners embodied a combination of contributors to daily and weekly print and online newspapers and online-only publications and top regional prizes were presented to scriveners representing various areas of the world. Mohammad Ghazal, the victor among Middle Eastern and African entries, published his article “Jordan, Kazakhstan Share Vision of World Peace” in “The Jordan Times.”

Marina Nabatnikova, a journalist with the Russian newspaper “Argumenty i Fakty,” was selected as the winner among Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) journalists for her article “Doomed to Growth – about our Trade Relations with Kazakhstan.”

Taking a page from the theme of next year’s international exposition, French correspondent Pauline Gavrilov won among European journalists for “Astana 2017: What will be the Future Energy?” The correspondent for HuffingtonPost.fr noted interest in the Central Asian country among her nation and its people has been increasing due to the upcoming event in the Kazakh capital.

“This is not just a dream, this is a huge achievement,” she said during the awards ceremony.

Douglas Burton, of “The Washington Times,” followed Kazakh native Shalkar Nursetov, who is pursuing a Master’s degree in media and public affairs at George Washington University. He is benefitting

FM Idrissov with the contest participants at the Kazakh MFA

from the Bolashak Presidential Scholarship Programme and “Kazakh Studying Abroad in Ambitious ‘Future’ Programme Aims to Lift Former Soviet Republic” traced his path.

Kürşad Zorlu of Turkey, representing “Yeni Cag,” took the top spot among Asian journalists for his article “The Key of Eurasia is the Development and Stability of Kazakhstan.”

During the ceremony, Idrissov briefed the guests on the nation’s initiatives in various fields, particularly nuclear non-proliferation and the fight against terrorism and extremism. He also reviewed the initiatives which will allow Kazakhstan advance its position among nations.

“We celebrate the 25th anniversary of the independence of our country [this year]. This is a landmark event for all the people. Wings have been spreading; we aim to achieve our main goal – to enter the top 30 most developed countries of the world. Therefore, in order to achieve that, President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated the five institutional reforms and a comprehensive programme 100 Concrete Steps aimed at modernising key sectors of the society,” said Idrissov.

The winners will have an opportunity to visit the land about which they wrote, as they will travel later this month to Astana, Almaty and Borovoye resort area in addition to an extensive cultural programme. Idrissov acknowledged the sponsors and their important contributions to the success of the contest – Argymak Transport Company, the Kazakh National Olympic Committee, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy national railway company, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Rixos President Astana and Rixos Borovoye hotels.

Last year’s victors, from Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Poland and Uzbekistan, know the enjoyable nature of the trip.

“A combination of fresh air and an outstanding view of the forest make me feel incredibly happy and relaxed,” said Egyptian Ahmed Abdu Tarabeik.

Neurosurgeon Brings Lifesaving Treatments to Kazakhstan

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Kazakhstan’s leading neurosurgeon, Serik Akshulakov, has performed more than 5,000 complex operations using special microscopic equipment, sometimes on patients who have not yet seen the light of day.

Today, the well-known and much-published doctor, who holds the title “Kazakhstan Yenbek Sinirgen Kairatkeri” (Merited Activist of Kazakhstan), heads the National Centre of Neurosurgery (NCN) in Astana.

The NCN and the entire, expansive speciality clinic complex in Astana, which were built at President Nursultan Nazabayev’s initiative, have had a huge impact on the development of medicine in the country, and on the advancement of neurosurgery in particular, Akshulakov said. The doctor was involved in the development of the project.

“Earlier in Kazakhstan, we dealt only with neurotraumatology, but now we can do complex operations using high technologies that previously were only performed abroad,” he explained.

Akshulakov has introduced new options for the surgical treatment of epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease in Kazakhstan, as well as surgical interventions using neuronavigation. Operations like these are not performed in any other Central Asian country, and today the NCN treats a number of patients from the region and beyond.

“We regularly conduct international conferences, round tables with leading experts from around the world, and try to send our doctors abroad to enhance their skills as much as possible,” Akshulakov noted. “This is reflected in the results of the centre’s work. In the first year, we held about 250 surgeries. Last year there was a minimum of 2,500 of them.”

Neurosurgery requires special care and precise coordination, with many operations stretching for 12 hours or more, all under the microscope. The time and stress are worth it for the joy of sending healthy patients home, the doctor said.

It is especially poignant when one patient is being given his very first chance at life. Today, the NCN accepts and operates on pregnant women with neurosurgical problems. It began in 2008 with the case of a woman brought from maternity care in a coma. She had suffered from a cerebral haemorrhage. Akshulakov saved her and her baby with the first complex surgery of that type performed in Kazakhstan. “That case was a sign for us,” he said. “The centre had just opened, and

Professor Serik Akshulakov

we successfully conducted such a complex surgery for the first time in Kazakhstan. One can say that we lived up to the hopes for the centre.”Akshulakov, a graduate of Aktobe State Medical Institute, studied neurosurgery in the Burdenko Research Institute of Neurosurgery in Moscow, eventually earning his doctorate there. His wife, Bayan Tuleuovna, also a respected doctor, also graduated and did her clinical internship at the Moscow school. The spouses first met during their student days in Aktyubinsk.

Now, the medical heroes have two adult sons and four grandchildren. The eldest, Raiymbek, is already finishing school; the youngest, Edyge, is only seven months. Many are considering careers in medicine.

“Our second grandson, Aldiyar, who is only 13 years old, is already seriously thinking about the work of a neurosurgeon. Also, my little granddaughter, Aybibi, wants to wear a white coat and treat people. I think they will succeed,” Akshulakov said.

In addition to his many national honours, Akshulakov has won regional and global awards for his work from Russia and Germany and from organisations like the World Association of Physicians. He is a member of the Eurasian Academy of Neurological Surgeons, honorary professor of the Burdenko Research Institute of Neurosurgery of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Russia and chief part-time neurosurgeon of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Kazakhstan.

Today, the well-known and much-published doctor, who holds the title “Kazakhstan Yenbek Sinirgen Kairatkeri” (Merited Activist of Kazakhstan), heads the National Centre of Neurosurgery (NCN) in Astana.

In Focus: Foreign Policy Priorities

countries of the world by 2020. Following the meeting, the parties signed an agreement on Latvia’s participation in EXPO 2017.

Zhoshybayev also visited Belarus Sept. 5, meeting with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs - National Commissioner of Belarusian section Andrey Evdochenko and the country’s business circles. The main outcome was the signing of an agreement by the two parties on Belarus’ participation in the international specialised exhibition.

Welcoming Investment

Kazakh to receive $100-$250 million from Green Climate Fund Kazakhstan expects to receive $100-$250 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to develop green technologies in the nation’s single-industry towns, according to Vice Minister of Energy Gani Sadibekov. The announcement was made during the “Strengthening of Kazakhstan’s cooperation with the GCF” workshop organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan.

Sadibekov also named the priorities of the future partnership with the fund – attracting investments to address the problems of adaptation to climate change, managing risks against adverse impacts and natural hazards, technology transfer to develop clean energy and improving the ecological situation in the country. In his words, Kazakhstan sees the GCF as one of the main international partners in these areas.

In August, Kazakhstan signed the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that provides measures to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 2020. (Kazpravda.kz)

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Strengthening UN & Int’l Security

Kazakh Embassy in Ethiopia holds photo exhibition at African Union headquartersThe Kazakh Embassy in Ethiopia held a photo exhibition at the African Union headquarters Sept. 6 dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site closure and the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

The main purpose of the event was to promote Kazakhstan’s contribution to the intensification of the processes to end to nuclear testing, nuclear non-proliferation and a world free of nuclear weapons. In his speech, Ambassador Erlik Ali spoke about the negative consequences of the nuclear tests on Kazakh citizens and the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, as well as measures taken by the country to reduce nuclear danger through the process of reducing nuclear weapons and a moratorium on their tests.

The event marked Kazakhstan’s role in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as raised awareness of the international community about the reality of the nuclear threat.

Hosting Astana Expo 2017

China to present two energy projects in EXPO 2017 best practices zoneChina will present two energy projects in the best practices zone of EXPO 2017, said pavilion commissioner Wang Jinzhen at the third meeting of the Astana EXPO 2017 public council. The number of Chinese companies wishing to conduct activities during the three-month international exhibition is growing, he added. They are ready to conduct a road show in China to promote the event and Wang vowed the pavilion’s steering committee will make every effort to be a success in Astana. (Kazpravda.kz)

EXPO 2017 Commissioner Zhoshybayev visits Latvia, BelarusEXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev visited Latvia Sept. 2-3, meeting with Minister of Transport Uldis Augulis and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Janis Endzinsh, who is the commissioner of the national section responsible for the country’s participation in the event, as well as business community representatives.

Zhoshybayev and Endzinsh discussed the conditions and prospects of bilateral interaction between the countries, as well as participation of the Latvian government and local companies in the exhibition. Endzinsh said Latvia aims to become one of the most “green”

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Also In The News...

• Winners of foreign media contest awardedMinister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov has awarded the winners of the contest “Kazakhstan through the eyes of foreign media.” This year, the organising committee received 60 applications from 29 countries to participate in the competition. The competitive commission identified five winners from the macro-regions of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, America, Asia and Oceania, the Middle East and Africa. “We have noticed a very good quality of submitted articles and papers. In addition, the number of participants is growing. … Through this competition many people in the world know about Kazakhstan, the values of the people of Kazakhstan, and have an idea of our priorities in the development of foreign policy,” Idrissov said. Idrissov briefed award ceremony guests on the international initiatives of Kazakhstan, particularly in the sphere of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.

• FM meets with Macau leadershipOn the sidelines of G20 Summit in Hangzhou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov met with the leadership of the Macau Special Administrative Region of China. The parties exchanged diplomatic notes confirming their intentions to sign an intergovernmental agreement on abolishing visa regimes soon and discussed the prospects of expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and Macau in the economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian and tourism sectors.

• Kazakhstan expected to draw $10 billion in FDI by end of 2016Kazakhstan attracted $2.7 billion in foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2016, according to an Aug. 26 statement by Kaznex Invest Chairman Borisbiy Zhangurazov. In his words, the number is expected to reach $10 billion by the end of the year. “In 2015, the inflow of foreign direct investment decreased significantly, by 30 percent, primarily due to the global situation. But in 2016, there has been a restoration of growth rates in attracting foreign direct investment. … Kazakhstan has attracted $2.7 billion of foreign direct investment [in 2016]. This is much higher than in 2015 and is on the level of 2014 and 2013,” said Zhangurazov. He added that almost half of the investments were in the mining sector. For the previous 10-year period, the gross inflow of foreign direct investments in the economy amounted to $226 billion. The largest investor in Kazakhstan’s economy is the Netherlands ($66 billion), followed by the United States ($26 billion) and Switzerland ($15 billion). Other major investors are China, France, the U.K., Italy, Japan and Russia.In addition, Zhangurazov said China intended to implement 50 investment projects in Kazakhstan worth more than $24 billion. (kazpravda.kz)

• Almaty hosts sixth annual Central Asian Trade Forum (CATF) The sixth annual Central Asian Trade Forum (CATF) took place at the Rixos Hotel in Almaty Sept. 7-8. The largest annual event for exporters in the region brought together leading trade experts, opinion leaders, top business sector actors, high-level government officials, as well as representatives of international organisations and diplomatic missions. Traditionally, the Trade Forum acts as an interactive business platform where participants share their experience, discuss their successes and challenges with exporting, receive advice on overcoming hurdles, and establish business contacts. Business leaders and government officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as delegations from Afghanistan, India, Latvia, Lithuania, and Pakistan participated the Trade Forum. The CATF was organised by USAID’s Regional Economic Cooperation Project and gathered more than 400 participants.

• Soyuz spacecraft lands safely in KazakhstanA Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft carrying three crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) has landed in Kazakhstan. Search and rescue groups have set off to the place of landing to evacuate the crew members from the capsule. The crew consists of Russian cosmonauts Aleksey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka and U.S. astronaut Jeffrey Williams. Ovchinin, Skripochka and Williams went into orbit March 19 and spent 172 days in space. This was the first space flight for Ovchinin, the second for Skripochka and the fourth for Williams. (inform.kz)

• First train on Dushanbe-Kurgan Tyube-Kulyab line built in AstanaThe first train on the new Dushanbe-Kurgan Tyube-Kulyab railway line was built at a locomotive factory in Astana. The new line was put into operation in Tajikistan in late August. It connects the south of the country with Dushanbe. Four locomotives built in Kazakhstan have been running on Tajik railways since 2012. Earlier this year, the Kazakh Temir Zholy and Rohi Ohani Tojikiston companies agreed on the supply of two Evolution series diesel locomotives to Tajikistan, Technical Development Vice President of Kazakhstan’s Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty Factory Victor Perminov said. (ktz.kz)

• China, Russia, Iran promising markets for KazakhstanKazakhstan has identified three most promising markets for its products: China, Russia and Iran, said Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Chamber of Commerce (Atameken) Tulemis Shotanov Sept.6. “We have clearly defined where we can sell our products. We can create all the conditions, but we do not have enough markets. So, we have identified three promising markets,” he explained. Another Deputy Chairman of Atameken Nurzhan Altayev added that Kazakhstan is reforming its agrarian and industrial complex. “The total export revenues from the sale of agricultural goods can be more than doubled, which is $5 billion. In terms of value, this is 6.3 percent of the total agricultural product import of China or 7.4 percent of the total import of Russia. Thus, we will enter the top 10 exporting countries that supply agricultural products to China and Russia,” he said. (pm.kz)

• New natural gas buses bought for AlmatyThe Green Bus Company, having in trust the public bus fleets and a trolleybus fleet of Almaty, has bought 100 additional buses with natural gas engines. The company has invested $11.8 million so far.Almaty Mayor Bauyrzhan Baibek inspected the new carrying equipment. “Our goal is to create transparent market relations in the transport industry of Almaty, which will be subordinated to taxpayers. We will do our best to support companies that invest their own money in upgrading equipment, increasing traffic quality, creating conditions for employees, because the transport system is essential for Almaty,” he said. Baibek noted that the introduction of lanes designated for public transport is appreciated by the population, because travel times are reduced almost by a third. “People need to see high-quality buses that reach their destinations using the public transport lane quickly – then they will start using public transport more often. Moreover, it will be much more profitable with paid parking lots. Today, a private company purchased 100 new buses with natural gas engines, which enhances the quality of services provided to Almaty residents,” he said. The 12-metre Youtong busses will begin servicing inner-city routes in September. All buses will be equipped with navigation systems and electronic ticketing. (almaty.gov.kz)

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