Thursday 24 / October / 2024
Republic Day is the most important date in the modern history of Kazakhstan, celebrated on October 25. The date that symbolizes the beginning of the process of gaining state sovereignty and independence.
On October 25, 1990 the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Kazakhstan was adopted. The Declaration proclaimed the sovereignty of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic and declared the political and legal foundations of Kazakhstan as an independent state within the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
For the first time this Day was included in the calendar as a national holiday by the decree of the previous President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev in October 1995. The holiday became a symbol of national self-determination and affirmed the state identity.
October 25 serves as a basis for reflection on the achievements and reasons for pride in the process of progressive development of modern Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia, bordering Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan as well as the Caspian Sea. It is the ninth largest country in the world, equivalent in size to Western Europe (2,724,900 km²). It is also the world’s largest landlocked country.
At 7,591 km, Kazakhstan’s land border with Russia is the second-longest land border in the world (after the US-Canada border), and the longest continuous border in the world.
This distance is roughly equivalent to the distance on a straight axis from New York to Istanbul (8,069 km). From north to south, Kazakhstan stretches 1,700 km, and from east to west, it extends more than 3,000 km.
The population of Kazakhstan is more than 20 million people. The population density is 7.5 people per km².
Kazakhstan is a presidential republic in which the President is the head of state and appoints the Prime Minister as head of government. The government has executive power and legislative power is exercised by a bicameral Parliament, the 98-seat Majilis and the 50-seat Senate. The President of Kazakhstan is Kasym-JomartTokayev, who was re-elected in November 2022.
Kazakhstan’s economy is large due to the country’s vast natural resources, including an abundance of natural minerals, hydrocarbons and rare earth metals, and the attraction of vast foreign investment in these industries.
Since 1993, Kazakhstan has attracted foreign direct investment in the amount of 441 billion US dollars, which testifies to the growing confidence of investors in the country. Top 10 investors since 2005 are the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, China, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade volume amounted to $139.8 billion (exports of 78.7 billion, imports of 61.1 billion) marking a 3.2% increase year-on-year.
Main export items include oil – $42.3 billion dollars (53.8%), uranium – $3.4 billion (4.4%), copper products – $3.2 billion (4.1%), copper ore – $3 billion (3.9%), ferroalloys – $2.3 billion (3%), natural gas – $2.1 billion (2.6%), wheat – $1.8 billion (2.4%), and petroleum products – $1.1 billion (1.4%).
The country is rich in various solid minerals, including iron, copper, uranium, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, gold, and aluminum. Kazakhstan holds significant shares of the world’s reserves in tungsten (63%), chromium (48%), uranium (14%), silver (6%), and copper (more than 4%).
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural uranium, accounting for over 45% of global production and exports.
Kazakhstan produces 18 of the 34 types of raw materials identified as “critical materials” by the EU.
The government has introduced initiatives to further diversify the economy, targeting sectors such as transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals, and food processing.
Kazakhstan's increased role in global trade and its key participation in the Belt and Road Initiative give the country the opportunity to open its markets to many countries.
A total of 13 international transport corridors cross Kazakhstan, including five railroad and eight road corridors. In 2023, transit traffic volume reached 32 million tons. By 2029, there is a plan to increase this to 35 million tons.
Kazakhstan is investing heavily in the development of digital infrastructure and is implementing projects to provide broadband Internet access throughout the country.
Additionally, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) plays a crucial role in establishing Kazakhstan as a regional business hub. In 2024, more than 3000 companies from 82 countries registered at AIFC. Since 2018, more than $12 billion of investments have been raised through the AIFC platform.
The Government of Kazakhstan provides comprehensive support for investment projects, which includes fiscal incentives (such as various subsidies, exemption from Corporate Income Tax, VAT, Land Tax, and Property Tax), as well as non-fiscal incentives (such as free plot of land and infrastructure).
Additionally, in line with global best practices for attracting investment, Kazakhstan has established 14 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) throughout the country. These SEZs offer well-developed infrastructure and a wide range of investment preferences. Furthermore, there are 41 industrial zones equipped with turnkey infrastructure.
Since gaining independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has been following its peaceful and balanced foreign policy. The country is committed to multilateral cooperation in line with the UN Charter, playing an active role in international security and stability.
Kazakhstan has been a staunch promoter of nuclear non-proliferation since its independence.
In the early 1990s, Kazakhstan voluntarily renounced and decommissioned its nuclear arsenal (1,410 nuclear warheads – the fourth largest arsenal in the world at the time), transferring warheads and nuclear materials to Russia under international supervision and dismantling their delivery systems. Closure of Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (1991). One of Kazakhstan’s earliest and most significant acts of independence was the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site, one of the world’s largest nuclear testing grounds.
This decision marked the country’s commitment to eliminating nuclear threats.
The Universal Declaration for the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapons - Free World initiated by Kazakhstan was adopted by the UNGA in December 2015.
Owned by the International Atomic Energy and hosted by Kazakhstan, the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank in Oskemen city represents the international recognition of Kazakhstan as a reliable and responsible partner in the field of nuclear non-proliferation.
Kazakhstan provides a neutral platform for dispute resolution processes Kazakhstan offers a neutral platform for conflict resolution processes, leveraging its geostrategic location, peaceful and balanced foreign policy to help search for solutions to international disputes.
Kazakhstan provided a neutral platform for two rounds of talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) in 2013, aimed at resolving the Iranian nuclear program issue. The meetings, held in Almaty, played a role in advancing dialogue that ultimately contributed to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Astana Process on Syria (2017 - Present): Kazakhstan has hosted the Astana talks, which brought together the Syrian government and opposition forces, as well as Russia, Türkiye, and Iran.
In May 2024, Kazakhstan provided a platform for peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The meetings aimed to bring the two sides closer to a peace agreement. In September 2024, Azerbaijan accepted Kazakhstan’s proposal to host further talks between Baku and Yerevan on a peace treaty.
Kazakhstan is building up mutually respectful and mutually beneficial relations with all the nations. Astana is firmly committed to a strategic course of strengthening multilateral cooperation with the countries of Central Asia and intends to continue contributing to the further development of regional cooperation to maintain stability in the region. Kazakhstan adheres to the principle: ‘Successful Central Asia – successful Kazakhstan’.
Kazakhstan has put forward several regional and international organisations that promote peace, security, and cooperation across various sectors
Founded by Kazakhstan in 1992, Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) (28 member states) is a multilateral forum that promotes peace, security, and cooperation across Asia through dialogue and confidence-building measures. CICA is going through the process of transformation into a full-fledge international organisation.
Kazakhstan initiated the establishment of Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) in 2013 to address food security challenges in member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The IOFS promotes agricultural development, coordinates efforts to manage food crises, and facilitates the sharing of expertise among Islamic nations.
Kazakhstan is a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an organisation focused on political, economic, and security cooperation in Eurasia. In 2024, Kazakhstan chaired the SCO, promoting initiatives related to counterterrorism, regional stability, and economic collaboration.
In 2024, Kazakhstan has also chaired CICA, the Organisation of Turkic States, the Consultative Meetings of State of Central Asia, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the Islamic Organisation for Food Security, and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
Since 2003, Kazakhstan has initiated and hosted this triennial Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, bringing together religious leaders from around the world to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and peace among different faiths. The congress serves as a unique platform for fostering tolerance and respect among nations and religious communities.
Kazakhstan has madecontributions to global humanitarian efforts through the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID), which supports developing countries in crisis situations.
On September 2, 2024, President Kassym-JomartTokayev delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address to Kazakh citizens at a joint meeting of Parliament. He focused on Kazakhstan’s economic and social development, stating that the State’s primary goals are sustainable socioeconomic progress, unlocking citizens’ potential, and improving national well-being, as well as commitment to a peaceful foreign policy.
