A delegation of the Senate of the Parliament of the RK, headed by the Speaker of the Chamber Maulen Ashimbayev, arrived on a working visit to the Kyrgyz Republic. The Chairman of the Senate spoke at the III Inter-parliamentary Forum of the Central Asian States, which is taking place these days in the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek, and met with the Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Republic, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu. Members of the Kazakhstani delegation also took part in the IX Forum of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz intelligentsia.
Welcoming the participants of the III Inter-parliamentary Forum of the Central Asian States, Maulen Ashimbayev congratulated the Kyrgyz people on the Day of the National Language and noted the symbolism of the venues for these meetings, which have a sacred meaning for Central Asia. He also stressed that the holding of the III Forum is a symbol of strengthening inter-parliamentary ties, as well as a tribute to history, fraternal bonds, and a common aspiration for the future.
Emphasizing the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy for developing the potential of the Central Asian regions, promoting the resolution of common current issues and problems against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical situation and turbulence in the world economy, the Speaker of the Senate focused on key areas where Parliaments can accelerate the implementation of initiated initiatives.
«In 2024, in the article «Renaissance of Central Asia», the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, noted that «the next decade will be decisive for our region, and it depends only on ourselves how effectively we use this historical chance». This is what our joint activity within the framework of the inter-parliamentary forum of the Central Asian states is aimed at. I would like to note a number of key areas where active work is already underway and where Parliaments can accelerate the implementation of initiated initiatives. First of all, strengthening the legislative framework for expanding trade and economic ties. The second important area is legislative support for the introduction of artificial intelligence and digitalization. We know that the Parliament of Uzbekistan is finalizing the consideration of the law on AI, and Kyrgyzstan has adopted a Digital Code. In Kazakhstan, a Digital Code is being prepared, and on the instructions of the Head of State, a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has been created. In this context, it is very important that our laws do not diverge, but use similar principles and approaches», – emphasized the Chairman of the Chamber of Parliament.
Along with this, environmental issues, namely water and energy cooperation requiring parliamentary assistance, were identified as a crucial topic in the context of regional interaction.
«The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, proposed the Water Towers Partnership initiative. Its goal is to systematize support for glaciological science by uniting the efforts of global research centers to study and protect glaciers. In this regard, considering the Decade of Action on Cryospheric Sciences declared by the UN General Assembly, initiated by Tajikistan and France, we count on close cooperation in solving this important task. Today, serious decisions are being made in the region to promote the environmental agenda. In these conditions, it is important to synchronize our water, energy, and environmental regulation at the legislative level», – the Speaker of the Senate stressed, outlining other key areas of cooperation for the upcoming period.
During the discussion of the Forum's agenda, the parliamentarians – heads and representatives of the Chambers of Parliaments of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – agreed that the effectiveness of inter-parliamentary ties has a direct impact on building the correct development trajectory for the region and its prospects. In addition, they confirmed their commitment to joint work on strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation and the effective implementation of all agreements reached.
«The holding of the III Inter-parliamentary Forum in Bishkek once again confirms that parliamentary interaction is developing in full accordance with the level of strategic partnership and alliance between our states. If the first forum laid the foundation for the parliamentary dimension of integration, and the second expanded its agenda, then the third forum demonstrates that we are moving to more substantive and meaningful work. The heads of our states have set a high bar for cooperation and collaboration in the Central Asian region. Our key task as parliamentarians is to promote the effective implementation of all agreements of the Presidents and to continue joint work in a pragmatic and trusting manner. In this context, I want to once again emphasize the special significance of the Inter-parliamentary Forum of the Central Asian States as an effective and promising mechanism for inter-parliamentary interaction», – said Maulen Ashimbayev.
On the same day, members of the Kazakhstani delegation, headed by the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament, took part in the IX Forum of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz intelligentsia. Prominent Kazakhstani public figures, including Honored Worker of the RK, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Adil Akhmetov, Honored Worker of the RK, writer, akyn-improviser, famous manaschi Bayangali Alimzhanov, Chairman of the Board of «Qazaq gazetteri» LLP Dikhan Kamzabekuly, Chairman of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan, writer Mereke Kulkenov, discussed with their colleagues from Kyrgyzstan the positive trend of Kazakh-Kyrgyz cultural and humanitarian cooperation, based on the deep historical and cultural ties of the two countries.
«Today, the intelligentsia of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan face important tasks. Priority attention, in particular, should be given to the popularization of the literature and art of the two countries. Within the framework of this work, we consider it advisable to organize lectures by recognized poets and writers. Of paramount importance is the preservation of cultural heritage and literary works in the digital space. For this, we propose to jointly implement initiatives to develop electronic versions of scientific works, replicate audiobooks, organize virtual museums, and other projects. For our part, we are ready to provide the necessary support for the implementation of these initiatives», – said Maulen Ashimbayev in his speech and awarded a number of state and public figures of the Kyrgyz Republic with state and parliamentary awards of the Republic of Kazakhstan for their contribution to strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
On the sidelines of the Forum, a bilateral meeting also took place between the Speaker of the Senate Maulen Ashimbayev and the Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, during which the interlocutors discussed in detail the current state of Kazakh-Kyrgyz interaction and outlined the prospects for inter-parliamentary cooperation. In this regard, the need for legislative support for the initiatives of the Heads of the two states was emphasized.
«In recent years, thanks to the friendly and respectful relations between the Heads of our states, bilateral ties have significantly strengthened, and interaction has risen to a new level. A special impetus to the deepening of bilateral cooperation was given by the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, to the Kyrgyz Republic in August of this year and the regular seventh meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, within which a number of important documents were signed aimed at strengthening trade and economic, transport and logistics, water and energy, cultural and humanitarian, and interregional ties. Undoubtedly, such important steps contribute to the further strengthening of friendly ties between the two countries», – noted Maulen Ashimbayev.
For his part, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu thanked the Speaker of the Senate for his participation in the inter-parliamentary forum and noted the importance of the progressive development of relations between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, expressing interest in assisting in the resolution of the issues identified.
(Press Office of the Senate, 74-72-27. Photo by: N.Baibullin)
