The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan held a press briefing in anticipation of the Independence Day of Kazakhstan and IOFS Day. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Roman Vassilenko welcomed guests from more than nine countries ranging from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, Oman, Slovakia, Jordan, Indonesia, and Tajikistan to Kazakhstan and provided them with a brief on the history of the creation of the IOFS. He noted that at the 7th World Islamic Economic Forum in Astana in 2011, Kazakhstan emphasized the need for a specialized food security body within the OIC.
Next, Mr. Vassilenko shared the results of the recent early presidential elections, held on 20 November 2022, which resulted in the re-election of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The election was held early due to the reason that President Tokayev felt it was necessary to seek a democratic confirmation of his mandate for the fundamental transformation of Kazakhstan, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He noted that this election was one of the most diverse in the nation’s history, where six candidates with different political views participated in the polls, giving the electorate an extensive choice. “It was an important milestone in the democratic development of our country. I would like to emphasize that the election was fair, transparent, and strictly in line with the country’s law,” he added.
The Deputy Foreign Minister shared the Action Plan of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Election Programme, the key announcements of the President’s Address to the Nation, Kazakhstan’s referendums on Constitutional Reforms, and the six new constitutional laws signed and adopted.
The briefing then resumed to a Question and Answer session, where all the journalist were given an opportunity to inquire on questions that interested them and their respective countries, and received informative responses on Kazakhstan’s role in the current geopolitical situation, bilateral relationships of the country, the economic and political development and history of Kazakhstan, and the country’s position in ensuring sustainable food security in a regional and international level.
The press tour included a fruitful program organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the IOFS, including meetings with the Chairman of the Board of the N. Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Inter-civilizational Dialogue, B. Sarsenbayev, as well as a Meeting with CICA Secretary General K. Sarybay, where the delegation of foreign media was given an extensive brief on the economic, social, cultural and political landscape in Kazakhstan.
