Kazakhstan and OSCE Agree on Strengthening Collaboration in Economic and Environmental Sectors
Lively Chat:
ASTANA - Kazakhstan and the OSCE are dialing up collaboration, aiming to boost economic and environmental sustainability with a focus on green ports, strategic transport routes, and joint climate initiatives in Central Asia. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and OSCE Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) Bakyt Dzhusupov discussed these matters over a meeting in the Kazakh capital.
Roman Vassilenko and Bakyt Dzhusupov. Snap credit: Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
Vassilenko hammered home the importance of the OSCE's Second Dimension as a hub for dialogue and trust-building amidst rising geopolitical tensions. He affirmed Kazakhstan's enthusiasm to carry on active collaboration with the OSCE, tackling a host of urgent topics[1].
Eco-friendly ports and strategic routes
Vassilenko and Dzhusupov mulled over an array of economic and environmental cooperation within the OSCE, covering sustainable development, transport connectivity, environmental protection, climate action, and tackling corruption and money laundering[1].
Vassilenko acknowledged the fruitful bond between the OCEEA and Kazakh government bodies, particularly with the Asset Recovery Committee of the General Prosecutor's Office. Dzhusupov shed light on Kazakhstan's amassed experience in this field and the reinvestment of recuperated state funds in social infrastructure—an intriguing model catching the eye of other OSCE participating states[4].
Vassilenko raised Kazakhstan's interest in engaging further with OSCE initiatives, including an extrabudgetary project for green ports development in the Caspian region. They noted that the outcome of this project helped Kazakhstan's seaports of Aktau and Kuryk secure EcoPort status from the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO), unlocking attractions for infrastructure improvement investments[5].
Emphasizing the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or the Middle Corridor), Vassilenko stated that Kazakhstan is investing massively in increasing transit traffic via the Middle Corridor to 10 million tons by 2027, with freight volumes spiking by 62% in 2024[5].
The Kazakh side also expressed enthusiasm for the implementation of a new OSCE project aiming to bolster cross-border connectivity in Central Asia and the North Caucasus. This project would further entrench Kazakhstan's status as a vital transit hub in international trade routes[5].
Joint climate action and regional environmental harmony
Climate change and environmental matters were front and center during this chat. Vassilenko restated Kazakhstan's loyalty to its international commitments, including the 2021 Stockholm Ministerial Council Decision on intensifying OSCE cooperation in confronting climate-related challenges.
Support was also extended for Finland's 2025 OSCE Chairmanship climate agenda, manifested in Kazakhstan's high-profile participation in the upcoming International Conference on Climate and Security slated for Finland in June[6].
Future preparations for the Regional Climate Summit, slated to be hosted by Kazakhstan in 2026 under the United Nations auspices, were also discussed. Dzhusupov highlighted the significance of this topic for the OSCE and declared the organization's readiness to furnish active support for this summit[6].
The gathering touched on water resource zones, addressing the state of affairs in the Aral Sea basin and Caspian Sea ecological concerns[7]. International cooperation to preserve the region's largest water bodies was underscored.
The officials zoned in on early warning and response mechanisms for natural disasters, underscoring the importance of collaboration with the Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction Centre based in Almaty[7].
In the end, Dzhusupov thanked Kazakhstan for its continued patronage of his Office and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the Kazakh side[7].
Fun Facts:
- Kazakhstan is home to the world's largest and most productive wheat fields. The capital Astana means "capital" in modern Kazakh.
- Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world, with a landmass of approximately 2,724,900 square kilometers, over twice the size of Texas.
- In 2019, Kazakhstan launched its own national cryptocurrency, the "digital tenge," aimed at boosting financial transparency and curbing money laundering.
- The country's most famous export might be Borat Sagdiyev from the mockumentary "Borat," played by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. The film was met with mixed reviews, but it certainly brought Kazakhstan into the international spotlight.
- Did you know that Kazakhstan was the first country to host a spaceport? Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in Kazakhstan, is the launchpad for the world-renowned Soyuz and Progress spacecrafts.
Enrichment Data:
The Broad Scope of Kazakhstan-OSCE Cooperation
- Kazakhstan and the OSCE are colluding on an extensive range of projects covering sustainable development, climate action, and cross-border connectivity, encompassing regional climate resilience, sustainable transport infrastructure, and joint climate initiatives. [1, 2, 5]
- Kazakhstan's commitment to climate action, as demonstrated by its OSCE involvement, aligns with broader global efforts to combat global warming and achieve sustainable development goals. [1, 2]
- Kazakhstan's dedication to clean energy, regional cooperation, and climate resilience reflects its role as an active participant in the international community, advocating for peace initiatives and regional stability. [2, 3]
- The collaboration between Kazakhstan and the OSCE extends to environmental science, particularlyGreen ports development, in the Caspian region, which is critical for the finance and transportation industries.
- Together, Kazakhstan and the OSCE are participating in joint climate initiatives, such as the International Conference on Climate and Security, aiming to address climate-change issues and protect the environment.
- The discussions between Roman Vassilenko and Bakyt Dzhusupov also included a focus on regional environmental harmony, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in preserving water resource zones, such as the Aral Sea basin and the Caspian Sea.
