Astana, November 27, House of the Mazhilis. "Kazakhstan’s Modernization Model in the New Global Reality". This is the name of the international parliamentary conference held in Astana today to mark the Day of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

                The forum was attended by MPs from 15 countries, international expert community as well as the UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura.

                The exchange of opinions once again demonstrated that the role of the Leader of the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev in the establishment and development of the modern Kazakhstan stirs huge interest of international community.

                In his address to the participants of the forum, Chair of the Mazhilis Nurlan Nigmatulin said that the full-scale reforms of President Nursultan Nazarbayev had made it possible to ensure sustainable economic growth, fair social policy and firm democratization of the society.

                - Our current progress is a result of dedicated and painstaking labor of all Kazakhstanis under the leadership of the national Leader, Nurlan Nigmatulin emphasized.

                Speaking of Kazakhstan’s modernization model, the Speaker of the Mazhilis noted, in the first place, the one whole ownership of all local reforms.

                - The First President Nursultan Nazarbayev is the main ideologist and the author of the idea of the country's renewal. It is the Leader of the Nation who is rightfully considered the main creator and ideological mastermind of the pivotal reforms in Kazakhstan. Speaking about Kazakhstan’s model of modernization, it would be right to call it the "Nazarbayev’s Model", - the Chairman of the Mazhilis emphasized.

                The Speaker of the Mazhilis noted the progressive nature of modernization throughout the history of independent Kazakhstan, calling the President a politician who expands the horizons, who, when success is achieved, always sets a new benchmark for himself and his people.

                Nurlan Nigmatulin also made a point of the close link between the process of Kazakhstan’s modernization and the world trends. First of all, these are the initiatives of the President of Kazakhstan related to the world nuclear disarmament, combating extremism and terrorism, formation of a regional security zone in Central Asia, and Kazakhstan's peacekeeping efforts to put an end to hostilities between the conflicting sides in Syria.

                - Therefore, it makes sense that Kazakhstan is the first country in the Central Asian region to have been chosen as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The realization of the initiatives of the global-scale politician - Nursultan Nazarbayev – have, one way or another, changed and continue changing the modern picture of the world, - the Speaker of the Mazhilis stressed.

Nurlan Nigmatulin noted that the distinctive feature of the people of Kazakhstan is their confidence in their strength and the firmness of the values of the Independence, and cohesion around the ideas of the Leader of the Nation.               

                - This trinity – one country, one Nation, one Leader – is and will be the key factor of the success of Kazakhstan’s modernization model, - Mr. Nigmatullin added.

                Representatives of the international community noted the significant role of Kazakhstan and its President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the world stage.

                - Since the first days of independence, guided by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan has been actively participating in the creation of an international agenda. And now many countries of the world use this international agenda. From the point of view of peacemaking and security, Kazakhstan has become a leader in the region, focusing on the interrelations of peace, stability and development, - said UN Permanent Coordinator in Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura.

                According to Shimomura, as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Kazakhstan plays a very important role, enriching the entire region.

                - Kazakhstan is also a driver of green development. Your country has signed the Paris Agreement. You hosted EXPO-2017 in Astana under the motto of "Future Energy". All this indicates that Kazakhstan is resolved to carry out the Sustainable Development Goals agenda, - Norimasa Shimomura believes.

                Foreign guests focused on how Kazakhstan builds relationships with other states.

                - We all remember that it was here, on the land of Kazakhstan, that the EAEU Treaty was signed. Nursultan Nazarbayev made a personal significant contribution to the identification of strategic directions for the promotion of integration in the Eurasian Space", said Sergei Neverov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of Russia.

                Russian MP also reminded that this year the parliaments of Kazakhstan and Russia had already ratified the Customs Code of the EAEU.

                The contribution of the Head of our state to resolution of the peacekeeping issues was also highly praised by the parliamentarian community.

                - Thanks to President Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan has gained a significant magnitude of recognition. These are the temporary membership of Kazakhstan in the UN SC and the successful holding of this year's EXPO. In addition, a high-level platform has been organized in Astana for meetings to settle the Syrian conflict. The Syrian conflict, which has lasted for seven years, can be said to be coming to a settlement after the meetings in Astana. Undoubtedly, President Nazarbayev’s contribution to this process is significant", said Ahmet Aydin, the Deputy Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

                Ariel Cohen, Director of the Center for Energy, Natural Resources and Geopolitics of the Institute for Analysis of Global Security, also spoke about Kazakhstan achieving its goals. The expert from the USA noted the growing role of our country in the international arena.

                - Over the past 25 years, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, as the Head of a young state located between Russia and China, has shown a clear intention towards multi-vector and conflict-free development. This is a very serious accomplishment. The foundation, which is being laid today by President Nazarbayev, will enable Kazakhstan to become a more successful country", A. Cohen said.

                On the margins of the parliamentary forum, the Chairman of the Mazhilis Nurlan Nigmatulin held bilateral meetings with vice speakers of the parliaments of several countries.

                Potential areas of further cooperation were discussed, in particular, during the talks with Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Sergey Neverov, Deputy Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Ahmet Aydin, Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Tamás Sneider, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Valery Zhablyanov, Vice Speaker of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan Valekh Aleskerov.

                (Press Office of the Mazhilis, 74-68-44, photo by Kuspanov)