The 19th Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia witnessed a significant milestone as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a plenary meeting via video conferencing. The leaders discussed various facets of the enduring partnership between the two nations, emphasizing the substantial progress made over the 20 years of the forum's existence.
The event began with a warm welcoming ceremony for President Putin, who arrived in Astana on an official visit. Followed by the introduction of official delegations and the playing of national anthems. The subsequent plenary meeting took place in the Marble Hall of the Akorda residence in Astana.
President Tokayev highlighted the forum's contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership, citing the remarkable growth in bilateral trade turnover, surpassing $27bn, and direct Russian investments exceeding $20bn. He emphasized the extensive collaboration across diverse sectors, from industry and agriculture to transport and infrastructure.
The president further highlighted the significant presence of foreign enterprises in Kazakhstan, with almost half of them being Russian companies. Collaboration between the two nations extends across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, transport, and infrastructure. The growing cooperation in the energy sector, such as the transit of Russian gas to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan, is emphasized as a key contributor to regional stability and energy security in Central Asia.
Specific projects, like the construction of a Kazakh-Russian plant for butadiene production and the completion of negotiations for a polyethylene production enterprise, were mentioned. The success of the Program of Joint Actions in industrial cooperation is underscored, with 30 projects worth $3.2bn already implemented and around 60 more projects valued at over $27bn in progress. Overall, the statement emphasizes the strong strategic partnership and alliance between Kazakhstan and Russia.
A key focus of the forum was the agricultural sector, with President Tokayev underscoring the vast potential for cooperation. Both countries, among the world's leading agricultural producers, account for nearly 10% of global arable land and pastures. The Kazakh President expressed optimism about developing coordinated approaches to ensure food security for both nations.
In the last 5 years, Kazakhstan has experienced significant growth in its agricultural sector, with the gross agricultural output more than doubling. Agricultural exports have also seen a substantial increase, reaching nearly $6bn, and the country now supplies its products to 80 countries worldwide. This growth has contributed to Kazakhstan ranking 32nd out of 113 countries in the 2022 Global Food Security Index. The president of Kazakhstan expressed confidence that the ongoing forum will lead to the development of new coordinated approaches for ensuring food security, emphasizing principles of equality and consideration of each other's interests among nations.
President Tokayev addressed pressing issues, including the industrialization of Kazakhstan's agricultural sector, with plans to increase the share of processed products to 70% within three years. He announced ambitious investment projects, including the construction of dairy and poultry farms, totaling KZT 2.7 trillion ($5.9bn).
Transport and logistics restrictions affecting agro-industrial potential were also discussed, with President Tokayev proposing the development of storage infrastructure and the modernization of Caspian ports and railways. The aim is to enhance connectivity and facilitate exports to promising markets such as China, India, and the Middle East.
President Tokayev stressed the importance of innovation in agriculture, calling for the creation of joint centers for agricultural innovation and the urgent correction of low domestic seed production. He advocated for increased collaboration in providing fertilizers, seeds, and food products to foreign markets, suggesting exemptions from international sanctions to strengthen global food security.
The impending shortage of water resources in Kazakhstan was highlighted, with plans for modernizing the water sector to address the challenges of water intensity, especially in agriculture. The president expressed hope for a balanced approach in joint efforts with Russia to manage water resources effectively.
“We are starting to modernize the water sector. It is planned to build 20 new and reconstruct at least 15 existing reservoirs, and modernize and digitize more than 3,500 kilometers of canals. This will make it possible to provide an additional two cubic kilometers of water by 2027,” President Tokayev noted.
In parallel, a new Water Code is in development to address water resource shortages. Kazakhstan is collaborating with Russia on a Unified Roadmap to research the basins of the Ural and Irtysh rivers. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasizes the need for a collective approach, highlighting the importance of balanced interests and expressing hope for a strategic partnership with Russia in managing water resources for the benefit of both nations.
In conclusion, President Tokayev emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure food security amid global challenges. He thanked President Putin and participants for their fruitful work at the plenary meeting, with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin also contributing to the discussions. The 19th Forum of Interregional Cooperation marked another milestone in the enduring alliance between Kazakhstan and Russia.
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