Written by Dr. Abdul Rahim Abdul Wahid
Abu Dhabi – The visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the United Arab Emirates, for participating in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, achieved economic, political, developmental and environmental results. He held a series of talks with senior economic and political figures, most notably Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who praised the relations between the two countries, stressing that the UAE is keen to invest in all opportunities for cooperation with Kazakhstan in various fields that support joint development, especially in renewable energy, trade, economy, investment, agriculture, space and others.
During the meetings, he identified Kazakhstan’s policy, directions and efforts to promote and support many global strategic issues, including the loss of biodiversity, extreme weather events, global climate change, desertification, water scarcity and food insecurity.
Opinions of strategic experts
Diplomats, strategic experts and businessmen who attended the summit described President Tokayev’s speech as comprehensive and realistic, and put the dots on the letters regarding many strategic issues that concern the entire world and enhance the lives of humanity. At the same time, it consolidated Kazakhstan’s position at the regional and international levels, economically, politically and developmentally, as it opened serious and effective channels for more investments in pioneering Kazakh projects.
President Tokayev held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Masdar Mohammed Al-Ramahi, and noted that cooperation between Kazakhstan and Masdar has reached a new level. The parties have successfully signed all agreements for the construction of a 1 GW wind farm in Zhambyl region with investments of 1.4 billion US dollars and Mohammed Al-Ramahi informed the President about the company’s readiness to start construction work and expressed interest in using Kazakh components in the production of wind turbines.
Attending the opening of ADSW
President Tokayev, took part in the solemn opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and Zayed Sustainability Prize awarding ceremony, also attended the ceremony President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and 13 heads of state and over 140 ministers and government officials alongside business and technology leaders at the ADSW Summit to supercharge socioeconomic and technological progress and unlock a potential $10 trillion economic transformation opportunity.
President Tokayev pointed out during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and said that today’s world faces a number of critical challenges such as climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss, water shortage and food security, being aggravated by geopolitical tensions and global supply-chain disruptions.
President Tokayev stressed the readiness of Kazakhstan to address these challenges through an ambitious strategy based on three key areas – digitalization and AI, major infrastructure projects and nuclear energy.
“The world’s energy systems contribute to 75% of the total greenhouse emissions and 10% of biodiversity loss. It’s important that international partners such as Masdar, Total, Eni and others had pledged to carry out 43GW worth green energy projects in Kazakhstan”, said Tokayev.
We’re committed to close cooperation in the entire range of bilateral and multilateral contacts for the benefit of our nations. I commend your efforts aimed at enhancing strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the UAE, continuously evolving in the spirit of friendship, trust and mutual respect.
UAE is a key partner
Tokayev said:” the UAE is our key partner in the Arab world and it is among the top-10 foreign investors in Kazakhstan, and last year, the inflow of direct investments from the UAE almost doubled. During our meeting in Abu Dhabi, we set the task to bring the trade turnover to up to 1 billion US dollars. I suggest our governments focus on a concrete economic agenda to achieve positive dynamics in trade. We count on your support in implementing the Joint Declaration on strategic investment projects, under which we’re actively cooperating with Emirati companies across a diverse range of sectors, including transport and logistics, energy, finance, tourism and many others, thus contributing to growth and progress”.
Tokayev emphasised that these challenges are further exacerbated by increasing geopolitical tensions and disrupted supply chains, causing a pessimistic macroeconomic outlook.
Energy systems globally
President noted that energy systems globally account for 75 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and 10 per cent of biodiversity loss, making it important for international partners, including major
energy firms like Eni, Masdar and Total to invest in green
energy projects. These energy companies have pledged
43 gigawatts of green energy projects in Kazakhstan
In his address, he talked about building Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power project, after a nationwide referendum, which marked an important step towards national sustainable energy development.
He said: “Kazakhstan also seeks to secure a diversified supply of critical raw materials for world markets. These materials are indispensable to achieving the world’s net zero targets.
“To enhance connectivity in Eurasia, Kazakhstan is committed to developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the North-South Transport Corridor and playing an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Climate adaptation strategies & 3 critical pillars
Tokayev highlighted the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies, including early warning systems, improved water and land management, the modernization of irrigation systems, the establishment of effective water management agreements, as well as utilizing AI, satellite monitoring, and other digital tools.
He reiterated Kazakhstan’s commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and technologies to ensure a stable global food supply. He emphasised the need for a new development paradigm rooted in resilience, equity, and sustainability.
He also spoke about a holistic framework based on three critical pillars: green financing, which “must increase dramatically, ” increased international cooperation on transfer of technology, technical support, and scientific research, and a synergistic tie between climate priorities, economic development, and AI. by 2030, it is expected to contribute more than 16 per cent of global GDP.
He said,: “This underscores the importance of a flexible and tailored approach to support the different sustainability goals of nations. The challenges we face are immense, but so are the opportunities. Now more than ever, we must unite and cooperate practically, effectively, and with impact”.
