Geneva, March 25th. Chairman of the Mazhilis Yerlan Koshanov, headed by a delegation of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, arrived in Geneva to participate in the meeting of the next 148th Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union.

The Speaker of the Mazhilis began his speech at the Assembly of the Interparliamentary Union with condolences to the Russian people in connection with the terrorist attack in the Moscow region.

Yerlan Koshanov noted the special relevance of the topic of the current meeting – "Parliamentary diplomacy: building bridges for peace and mutual understanding."

– Under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan contributes to the sustainable development and peaceful future of mankind. First of all, these are large-scale political reforms in the country, thanks to which all conditions have been created today for building a democratic, fair Kazakhstan. Parliament takes an active part in their implementation. Initiatives of our country to ban nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, regular congresses of leaders of world and traditional religions are of global importance," Yerlan Koshanov said.

The Chairman of the Mazhilis also noted the importance of the participation of parliaments around the world in promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and spoke about plans to create a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. He also highlighted the work on the gender agenda carried out at the platforms of the Dialogue between Women from Central Asian countries and the TechnoWomen Central Asia community.

– The deputies welcome the use of parliamentary diplomacy tools to prevent and resolve international conflicts. Recently, the Parliament approved the decision to send a peacekeeping contingent of Kazakhstan to the Golan Heights. This is the first independent mission of our peacekeepers under the UN mandate. This is a significant contribution of Kazakhstan to global security and stability," Yerlan Koshanov stressed.

The Chairman of the Mazhilis invited the parliamentarians to actively participate in the development of international transport and logistics cooperation. He noted that Kazakhstan is working tirelessly to diversify transcontinental transportation throughout the Eurasian continent. In this regard, the creation of a clear legal regime for the Middle Corridor is of particular importance.

The Speaker of the Mazhilis also touched upon food security issues, giving an example of the work of the Islamic Organization for Food Security. Speaking about the efficient use of water resources, he recalled the One Water summit initiated by the Presidents of Kazakhstan and France in New York and Kazakhstan's plans to hold a Regional Climate Summit under the auspices of the United Nations in 2026.

On the sidelines of the IPU Assembly, Yerlan Koshanov met with the Chairman of the Interparliamentary Union, Tulia Axon. The main topic of the meeting was the strengthening of cooperation between the Parliament of Kazakhstan and the Interparliamentary Union, in which deputies of the Mazhilis actively participate.

– Using the potential of parliamentary diplomacy to promote political, economic and humanitarian ties is identified as one of the priorities of the Concept of Kazakhstan's Foreign Policy. Our country takes an active position and makes a significant contribution to ensuring peace, security and sustainable development at the global and regional levels," the Chairman of the Mazhilis said.

The head of the Interparliamentary Union noted the productive work of Kazakhstani MPs in all areas: climate change, democracy and human rights, peace and security, gender equality, youth participation and sustainable development for all.

At the end of the conversation, Yerlan Koshanov invited Tulia Axon to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan and take part in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2025.

The meetings of the Chairman of the Mazhilis with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt Hanafi Jebali and the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Sardar Sadiq were also held at the site of the IPU Assembly. Yerlan Koshanov informed his foreign colleagues about the ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan, and also discussed ways of further cooperation with them.

The IPU Assembly in Geneva was attended by delegates from 150 member countries of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. In addition to the main session, the deputies of the Mazhilis worked in the standing committees, took part in the coordination meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, panel discussions, as well as forums of women parliamentarians and young deputies. At this session, Deputy of the Mazhilis Aigul Kuspan, who was elected in 2023 in Luanda as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security for a three-year term, assumed her duties. 

The Interparliamentary Union is the largest international parliamentary organization founded in 1889. The IPU includes parliaments of 180 states. Kazakhstan has been a member of the IPU since 1993.

The IPU promotes parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peaceful politics, democracy and sustainable development around the world.

Mazhilis Press Service, 74-66-20. Photo by J.Zhumabekov.