Erlan Idrissov

On 8–10 July 2013, Idrissov paid an official visit to the United States and held meetings with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy National Security Adviser Antony Blinken, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. In his talks with high ranking U.S. officials the two sides highlighted the robust and growing bilateral ties between Kazakhstan and the United States and the Strategic Partnership Dialogue, and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen US–Kazakhstan relations.[14]

Idrissov took part in the meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asia and the United States in the C5+1 format. The meeting took place in Washington, D.C. on 3 August 2016. The six ministers agreed to launch five projects aimed at developing the transport, logistics and energy potential of Central Asia, as well as improving border infrastructure and strengthening regional security.[15] The U.S. plans to support these projects with up to $15 million.[15]

On 1 October 2013, Minister Idrissov became the first Kazakhstan Foreign Minister to visit South America. He visited the countries of Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. The purpose of the visit was to speak about the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, Expo 2017, and creating bilateral cooperation.[16] During his meeting with Chilean Foreign Minister Alfonso Navarro, the milestone agreement was the abolishment of visas between Chile and Kazakhstan.[17] Chilean and Kazakhstan citizens can visit these countries without the need for a visa. In Ecuador, the same agreement was made for a 30-day trial period to strengthen trade, business, and tourism for both countries.[18] While visiting Argentina, Idrissov discussed areas in travel, tourism, technology, energy, agriculture, beef, nuclear energy, and space.[19]

Minister Idrissov has led Kazakhstan's candidacy for Kazakhstan's election to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017–18.[20] Idrissov highlighted the key elements of the country's candidature since formally initiating the process in September this year, which is focused on ensuring global nuclear, water, food and energy security.[21] Idrissov has led Kazakhstan's advocacy effort at the United Nations to achieve a nuclear weapons-free world.

On 6 May 2016, Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov represented Kazakhstan at the high-level forum titled Religions for Peace at the United Nations General Assembly. He stressed that it was important to break the links between terrorism and religions and noted that on May 31 Astana would host an international conference under the title “Religions Against Terrorism.”[22]

Erlan Idrissov contributed to Kazakhstan's election as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council. It was announced in June 2016 that Kazakhstan would serve on the UNSC in 2017-2018.[23]

In September 2016, Erlan Idrissov participated in the 71st session of the UN General Assembly.[24] Within the session, Erlan Idrissov met with Foreign Ministers of other countries, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. During his visit to New York Erlan Idrissov also participated in the meeting of Central Asian Foreign Ministers. The meeting had a symbolic meaning, since 2016 is the year when all Central Asian countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of their independence.[25]

Kazakhstan set priority questions for its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2017–2018. One of them is security and development issues in the Central Asian region. In order to represent the interests of the entire region, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov conducted trips to the capitals of the Central Asian states and Afghanistan in late 2016.[26]

Erlan Idrissov visited Samoa for the Third International Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on 1–3 September 2014.[27] The participants of the Conference discussed the geographical isolation of the Pacific Islands that creates fundamental challenges hindering their growth and prosperity. Idrissov noted that Kazakhstan shares many challenges with SIDS.[27] Just as Kazakhstan is land-locked, the Pacific Islands are, in a way, sea-locked, with their encirclement by the ocean and their remoteness from major growth hubs, aggravating, not helping their lot.[27] This is why Kazakhstan felt it was important to participate in the event and share the story of what they, as an upper middle income country in the early years of its development, have done to overcome the challenges of geography and, more importantly, how that can be applied to support SIDS.[27]

1. Regional integration is the "key" to stabilizing Afghanistan, EurActiv, November 21, 2013
2. A New Step Forward to Greater Regional and Global Security, The Astana Times, May 13, 2014
3. Kazakhstan leads green initiative, USA Today, June 10, 2014
4. Kazakhstan looks to ‘Future Energy’ with EXPO 2017, Energy Global, June 10, 2014
5. The Great Gain Not the Great Game: How Kazakhstan is Charting its Own Course in the World, The Diplomatic Courier, November 13, 2015
6. Building a Joint Future for ASEM: View from Kazakhstan, ASEF, December 23, 2015
7. Kazakhstan: Disarmament is key, EurActiv, January 20, 2016
8. The Real Cause of the 21st Century, The Diplomat, April 19, 2016
9. Kazakhstan’s experience can help promote greater understanding at UN Security Council, Financial Times, May 10, 2016
10. Kazakhstan: An Exercise in Democracy, The Diplomat, May 19, 2016
11. Kazakhstan Determined to Stay the Course of Sustainable Growth, The Diplomat, June 13, 2016
12. High time for Central Asia and Kazakhstan to have a voice in UN Security Council, The Hill, June 22, 2016

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