By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed.

    The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered an address at the National Kurultai (National Congress) on March 15. He primally focused on Kazakhstan’s development, outlining key tasks and priorities for the country. 

    The President stated that addressing economic issues alone does not suffice for becoming a genuinely developed nation, adding that Kazakhstan must take a comprehensive approach, outlining guidelines not only in the socio-economic realm but also in the ideological sphere.

    The National Kurultai, first inaugurated in the Ulytau Region in 2022, holds great importance as a forum for charting the course of Kazakhstan’s future. The Kurultai comprises a diverse range of individuals from various sectors of society, including public organizations, business leaders, intellectuals, and public figures.

On Kazakhstan’s foreign policy
•    Kazakhstan remains committed to bilateral and multilateral cooperation through constructive dialogue and active diplomatic and foreign economic activity. 
•    The country is focused on the improved cooperation in the region, especially with Central Asian nations.
•    Kazakhstan stands for closer ties with the Turkic countries.
•    As a responsible member of the international community, Kazakhstan must always be ready to defend national interests, the sovereignty, and Independence of the state. 

Kazakhstan as a transit hub in Eurasia
•    Kazakhstan is poised to become a key transit hub in Eurasia.
•    Development of transit corridors running through Kazakhstan will comprehensively stimulate foreign trade. 
•    To do this, the country will build logistics centres and warehouses, railway lines, the infrastructure of maritime transportation, and pursue a flexible tariff policy. 
•    This will maximise the benefits of the geographical location of the country and give impetus to many sectors of the economy.

Domestic development
•    IT technologies are a promising growth point. 
•    The country intends to build a fibre-optic communication line along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. 
•    Kazakhstan focuses on total digitalisation and accelerated development of artificial intelligence.
•    The Government will increase the level of gasification of settlements and modernise at least 1,700 kilometres of networks. 
•    The construction and reconstruction of the country’s road network will contribute to the economic growth. Kazakhstan will carry out works on at least 12,000 kilometres of highways. This will enhance business activity and increase social mobility.

On political development
•    President Tokayev will ensure a Just Kazakhstan.
•    Kazakhstan will build a just State with strong democratic institutions and a developed legal system that ensures the rule of law and order.
•    Kazakhstan will always be tolerant of all faiths, beliefs, and teachings that do not undermine our statehood and public morality.
•    Scope of use of the Kazakh language will be expanded.

National identity and image
•    It is crucial that the perception of the Golden Horde in the world is inextricably linked with Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan will celebrate 800th anniversary of Jochi Ulus. 
•    It is necessary to begin inscribing natural and historical sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the Ustyurt Plateau.

    Overall, Kazakhstan will continue its role as a responsible member of Institutional community open to constructive engagements. The focus on the above mentioned areas opens new opportunities for Kazakh-Korean cooperation, especially in logistics, infrastructure, trade, e-commerce, digital transformation, people-to-people ties as well as enhancing Central Asia – Republic of Korea Forum (informally known as C5+K).