President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. At the meeting, the Head of State outlined key areas of regional co-operation, including trade, artificial intelligence (AI), transport, water resources and humanitarian co-operation.
HOW KAZAKHSTAN PROPOSES TO INCREASE REGIONAL TRADE
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the development of trade and economic ties between the countries of the region. According to him, the number of joint ventures is growing, projects in industry, mechanical engineering, energy and agriculture are being implemented, and road and rail links are expanding.
The President proposed increasing the volume of intra-regional trade from the current $13 billion to $20 billion.
“Last year, the volume of intra-regional trade amounted to around $13 billion – about 8% of the total turnover of our states. Therefore, I propose instructing the governments to develop and adopt a joint Action Plan aimed at increasing this figure to at least $20 billion, with a consistent growth in the share of mutual trade,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
HOW THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION CAN CO-OPERATE IN THE FIELD OF AI
The President paid particular attention to the development of AI. In Kazakhstan, he noted, an ecosystem has been formed in this area: the Law “On Artificial Intelligence” has been adopted, the Digital Qazaqstan strategy is being implemented, supercomputer clusters have been launched and the Alem.ai International Centre is operating.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed developing the exchange of experience between research centres, universities and technology companies of the countries of the region.
“Given the exceptional importance of this topic, I propose considering the possibility of preparing a Central Asian Partnership Programme on Artificial Intelligence, so that all our research centres, universities and technology companies could exchange information and experience,” noted the Head of State.
WHICH TRANSPORT PROJECTS THE PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTED
In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also touched on the development of transport infrastructure. He noted the construction of the railway lines Moiynty – Kyzylzhar and Darbaza – Maktaaral, as well as the forthcoming opening of the route Bakhty – Ayagoz.
The President separately emphasised the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the North – South route. According to World Bank estimates cited in the speech, if the set infrastructure tasks are implemented, by 2040 the freight flow across the Caspian may increase fourfold.
WHAT PROPOSALS WERE MADE ON WATER RESOURCES
The President named the management of transboundary water resources as another priority. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the need for new approaches based on mutual respect, equality and consideration of the interests of all states in the region.
As possible instruments, he named the adoption of a Framework Convention of Central Asia on Water Use and the creation of an International Water Organisation under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
WHAT SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN CO-OPERATION ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED
The Head of State also noted the need to preserve peace and stability in the region. Among the threats, he named terrorism, the drug trade, arms and human trafficking, illegal migration, organised crime and fraud, separately pointing to the risks of digital technologies being used by malefactors.
In the humanitarian sphere, the President proposed developing youth exchanges, inter-university and scientific co-operation, as well as forming a common calendar of major cultural, scientific, sporting and tourism events.
Following the 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, a Joint Statement was adopted.
