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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Kazakhstan has affirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh.

Speaking at the Republic Day reception hosted by the Kazakhstan embassy in Riyadh, ambassador Berik Aryn said: “Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia are reliable partners in the international arena and provide each other with every possible support. Kazakhstan supports the Kingdom’s initiative to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh. We are confident that this event will be the culmination of the large-scale socio-economic transformations being carried out in the Kingdom as part of the Saudi Vision-2030.”

The reception was attended by Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudairy, undersecretary of Riyadh region’s principality, Abdulmajeed Al-Samary, undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Protocol Affairs, and diplomatic corps.

Kazakhstan celebrates Republic Day on Oct. 25 every year. On that day in 1991, Kazakhstan proclaimed its sovereignty.

“Today, the world knows Kazakhstan as a peaceful and dynamically developing country in the Central Asian region that advocates for cooperation and integration. Peace and harmony have become the main principles of the development of a modern Kazakhstani society,” Aryn said.

Kazakhstan’s commitment to progress was evident in the country’s economic story, one that had earned international acclaim. It had become one of the 30 leading countries with a digital economy in a short period, he said.

“Today, under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan is implementing step-by-step reforms to improve the living conditions of its citizens. We have launched the modernization process of the country’s political life and the construction of ‘New Fair Kazakhstan’,” the envoy said.

“On the international stage, Kazakhstan has reached a unique identity through its great diplomatic endeavors. 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. It 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.”

Kazakhstan also initiated the establishment of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, which now includes 41 countries with a combined population of about 1.6 billion people.

The IOFS acts as an effective mechanism in the OIC structure that aims to address food security issues in Muslim countries.

This year Astana successfully hosted important international events such as the International Forum Astana, Digital Bridge Astana-2023, and Human Capital Forum-2023.

The success of Kazakhstan was only possible with the support and cooperation of countries including Saudi Arabia, Aryn said.

“The historical and cultural relations between our people have deep roots dating back to the times of the Great Silk Road, thanks to the support and strong political will of our leaders, today relations between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia are developing at a gradual pace.”

Last year, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Kingdom at the invitation of King Salman, which had opened a new stage in bilateral relations, the envoy said.

This year Tokayev participated in the first Central Asia-GCC summit held in Jeddah. For the first time the leaders of Central Asia and GCC countries discussed at one table the issues of interregional cooperation, including the strengthening of interaction in trade and economy, investment, tourism, transportation and logistics, environmental, scientific and educational areas, Aryn said.

With the launch of direct flights between the two countries this month and the simplification of the visa regime last year, the number of Kazakh pilgrims visiting the holy sites had increased significantly, and the number of Saudi tourists visiting Kazakhstan has reached an all-time high, he said.

“It is gratifying to note that Saudi Arabia provides broad support to Kazakhstan’s initiatives in promoting interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance. This year, delegations from the Saudi government and the Muslim World League took an active part in the anniversary meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in early October in Astana.

“We are confident that our fruitful cooperation within the framework of developing and strengthening trustful, friendly and fraternal relations between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia will continue developing for the benefit of the two brotherly people, and we will make every effort to achieve this,” he said.