ISLAMABAD: Cooperation, tolerance and partnership are the only way to fight global challenges including terrorism, climate change, poverty and drug trafficking, said Kazakh Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov on Friday.

Speaking at the Ambassador’s Platform in the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Kazakhstan-Pakistan Relations: Priorities of Kazakh Foreign Policy, the ambassador said his country strongly believes in non-military solutions to any conflict and a world free of nuclear weapons.

Mr Sadykov shared the successes and achievements of his country during the last 27 years after getting independence.

He said poverty had reduced from 46pc in 1980s to 2.7pc in 2017; the literacy rate stands at 99pc, which is one of the highest in the world.

The landlocked country is one of the biggest oil producing countries in the world.

He also elaborated on his country’s foreign policy and highlighted Kazakhstan’s role in regional and global integration processes through trade and transit-transport.

The increased participation of Kazakhstan in world affairs has increased its regional weight and importance in the world, he said.

Ambassador Sadykov dedicated a major part of his speech to his country’s concern about nuclear non-proliferation as the country experienced the brunt of nuclear tests during the Cold War era.

Kazakhstan was the largest site of nuclear tests that caused radioactive pollution and affected 1.5 million people.

“Nuclear weapons are not panacea to a country’s problems,” the ambassador said.

He explained President Nur Sultan Nazarbayev’s vision in building confidence and trust between nations to avoid conflicts and proliferation.

“The US decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty is worrisome,” the ambassador said.

Responding to a question, he said his country being part of the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG) strongly supports Pakistan to become member of NSG and the decision will be taken with consensus.

He acknowledged how Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan in 1991-92, something which the ambassador said still resides in the hearts and memories of the people of Kazakhstan.

ISSI Chairman Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said Kazakhstan was a very significant country playing an important role in many important organisations such as the SCO and Economic Cooperation Organisation. Pakistan shares a common vision of peace and security in the region, he said.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2018