ON October 19, Kazakhstan celebrated its National Day in Kuala Lumpur. This incredible event gathered the nation's friend in Malaysia and honoured Dato' Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, Deputy Minister of Economy, Tan Sri Dato' Johari Bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), Dato' Dr. Shazelina Binti Zainul Abidin, Undersecretary, South and Central Asia Division at Wisma Putra.
The National Day was dedicated to the Republic Day of Kazakhstan, which has been celebrated with great zeal and fervour on October 25. It marks the pivotal moment in the history of modern Kazakhstan when the country declared its sovereignty in 1990.
The collapse of the USSR followed by raise of new independent players in the world arena opened new perspectives to Kazakhstan and resonated with desires of the entire nation experienced tough journey throughout its history.
Sovereignty is not just a historical event, it is an ongoing process, which means ensuring that every citizens enjoys equal rights and opportunities. The celebration the of Republic Day reinforces a sense of belonging and shared identity among the people, transcending ethnic, religious and cultural differences. It also reflects on the nation's progress, encouraging collective introspection.
Kazakhstan has been endowed with cultural diversity and mutual understanding, which is a showcase of importance of maintaining peace and tolerance within the nation. This expertise and the strength have been widely recognised by the world community. Since 2003, Astana has been hosted the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which is a unique platform that gather all religions representatives to discuss global issues particularly vital in today's reality.
There is no doubt that any nation can achieve the unity and peace without equal rights to all citizens. In this regard, Kazakhstan has achieved substantial progress in its democratization journey, exemplified by the implementation of wide-ranging political reforms. More power has been distributed to the Parliament to raise accountability of the government. These changes have enhanced the democratic fabric of the nation.
In his latest state of the nation address on September 1, the country's President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, proposed further economic reforms with the aim of promoting fairness, inclusiveness, and pragmatism.
He outlined objectives to diversify the economy, strengthening industry, and targeting stable economic growth of 6-7 percent. These economic transformations aim to contribute to the creation of a more balanced, sustainable, and globally integrated economy.
International law, including UN Charter, designed to protect states' sovereignty. On the other hand, the balanced international course plays a crucial role in maintain predictive relationship. In this sense, Kazakhstan has etched a unique identity through its astute diplomatic endeavours.
By championing nuclear disarmament—evidenced by the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and the relinquishing of its nuclear arsenal after the country gained independence—the nation positioned itself as a global advocate for peace.
Kazakhstan initiated the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in 1992, a multilateral forum aimed at promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the Asian region. Additionally, Kazakhstan has fostered regional cooperation, playing significant roles in platforms such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union. By ensuring positive relations with all nations, Kazakhstan offers a harmonizing narrative in an often-divided world.
The diplomatic relationship with Malaysia established in 1992 has enabled to flourish trustworthy partnership across various field.
Kazakhstan and Malaysia share common values preserving stability and unity in multi-ethnic and multireligious population, both countries have a clear vision towards prosperity at the time of the geopolitical turbulence. This common ground and proactive position allows to deepen mutual understanding and to maintain friendship forever.
For the people of Kazakhstan, Republic Day is not just a nostalgic nod to the past, but an embodiment of their commitment to a unified and prosperous future. This day is a celebration of their resilience and vision, a vision that elevated Kazakhstan from a former Soviet republic to a beacon of progress and diplomacy on the global stage. The promise of tomorrow, illuminated by the achievements of today, ensures that Republic Day remains a celebration of not just sovereignty, but of endless possibilities.
Aiman Turebekova, Second Secretary – Press-attaché of Embassy of Kazakhstan in Malaysia
