WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE

The 2nd Ka zakhstan- US Co nven tion

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H.E. , Foreign Minister, meets with Hon. John Kerry, Secretary of State, in New York, September 2014

PRODUCED AND SPONSORED BY WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE

The 2nd Ka zakhstan- US Co nven tion

10 December 2 014 l Washington DC

Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of in the with the support of the Council of Turkic American Associations Foreword

A STRONG AND RELIABLE PARTNERSHIP

His Excellency Erlan Idrissov Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Kazakhstan

’m very pleased that the Embassy of situated close to the epicenter of geopolitical Kazakhstan is hosting, to coincide with the tensions, is affected by these forces.” I celebrations of our country’s Independence To make the nation’s economy more Day, the second Kazakhstan-US Convention sustainable and diversified, he appealed on the theme of “Working Together for a to the people of Kazakhstan to “work hard Secure Future.” and unite our efforts on the way to a better This is a particularly good moment future” just as he outlined a major package to discuss the importance of the strategic of infrastructure investment over the next partnership between Kazakhstan and the four years, which, to some extent, can be United States. It is a partnership based compared with Roosevelt’s New Deal in on the regular political dialogue between scope and significance for our economy. President and While Kazakhstan’s economy has been President Barack Obama and which growing at a solid rate of 4 per cent this Secretary Kerry and I reaffirmed when we year, the President’s vision is meant to met in New York in September. Kazakhstan’s ensure its continued sustainable growth growing role in regional and global affairs even in the face of external challenges. and its commitment to a secure world makes the country a strong and reliable partner A good platform for the United States. The world today is undergoing difficult It is within this context that I view the times which are having an impact on every Convention, which provides a good platform country. As President Nazarbayev said in to discuss immediate global challenges his landmark State of the Nation address such as ISIS, Ebola, the Middle East crisis, in November 2014, “Kazakhstan, as part Afghanistan, Iraq and the conflict in Ukraine. of the global economy and a country We have to find quick and lasting solutions

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE to these current problems while simultaneously partnership on nuclear nonproliferation, creating the long-term strategies needed to global and regional security, energy and keep the world peaceful and stable. environment provides the backbone for The wider Central Asian region also our growing and successful relationship. faces development challenges which we I am sure that the frank discussions which need to address including through greater the Convention will encourage will help international economic engagement. generate both an intellectual framework The US can play a key role in supporting and practical recommendations for the two economic growth through increased direct Governments to implement, while we chart investment and co-operation in science a roadmap of comprehensive partnership and technology. The “Working Together for a secure future. for A Secure Future” theme of the Convention I thank you again for your participation strongly resonates with Kazakhstan as we in this year’s Convention which I am sure believe that development and economic will be a success. / growth are vital to long-term stability for the region and wider world. We hope policymakers, distinguished academics and business leaders will have substantial and productive discussions on this important issue. Kazakhstan remains determined to contribute to peace and security, prosperity and sustainability through cooperation with neighboring countries and global actors including, of course, the US. Our successful

THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Message

SHARED GOALS

His Excellency Ambassador of Kazakhstan

am honored to welcome you to the Kazakhstan will be celebrating its 23rd Even though, like all countries, including second Kazakhstan-US Convention on anniversary as an independent, sovereign such great economic power houses as China I the theme “Working Together for a Secure state. It is a remarkable achievement for and India, it has faced difficult times during Future”. This event speaks of the ever closer a country which some initially thought may the recent recession, it continues to grow at ties between two countries linked together never survive its tumultuous early years, approaching five per cent a year. in a strategic partnership to assist progress borne, as it was, amidst the confusion With good fortune, comes enormous on a range of bilateral, regional and global and collapse of the former . responsibility. But my country does not see issues from boosting US-Kazakh trade But it has done far more than survive. It has this as a burden, more an opportunity – to and investment opportunities to promoting grown and evolved as a proud, forward- further engage in all regions and countries nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation thinking country with a vibrant, diversifying of the world; with countries great and small; worldwide. domestic economy increasingly and with international organizations, particularly I am pleased to note that the Strategic beneficially integrated into global markets the where we are seeking Partnership Dialogue is chaired by Foreign in line with a multi-vector foreign policy, to become a non-permanent member of the Minister Erlan Idrissov, who is a dear friend which, at its heart, rests on two all-important Security Council in 2017-18. This quest is of the United States, and Secretary of State dimensions: security and prosperity. based on Kazakhstan’s commitment to four John Kerry, whose strong personal support The hand of fate has been kind to different, but inter-dependent, areas of for the close friendship between our two Kazakhstan. It has gifted the country with security – water, food, energy and nuclear countries is much valued by the Government vast energy and non-energy minerals and security. of Kazakhstan. They last met a little over resources. These, of course, have been two months ago in New York and agreed the building block of the country’s rapid Project Sapphire to further enhance the Strategic Partnership. industrial development and diversification Moreover, the Secretary of State was invited – along with internal political stability and My country’s commitment to nuclear security to visit Kazakhstan and we hope he is able strategic global partnerships. Kazakhstan’s began at the dawn of independence when to do so in the near future. GDP grew on average by 8 per cent per it was decided to dismantle and abolish In just a few days, on December 16, annum in the first decade of the new century. Kazakhstan’s nuclear weapons capability.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE States. Project Sapphire, in addition Energy.” The EXPO in Kazakhstan’s capital to the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat city of Astana is expected to attract some Reduction Program, were essential to five million visitors from over 100 countries. eliminating the post Soviet legacy of US firms are already actively involved. radioactive materials, military nuclear Indeed, Chicago-based Adrian Smith + infrastructure and nuclear weapons on Gordon Gill Architecture Company secured the territory of Kazakhstan. the contract to design the 173.4 hectare My country remains a staunch EXPO grounds. However, while the EXPO supporter of nuclear disarmament and non- is, of course, an excellent opportunity for proliferation. Kazakhstan and the United international firms, large and small, to States confirmed their shared commitment showcase the most recent developments in to non-proliferation and strengthening the field of renewable energy and “green” nuclear security in a joint statement following technology, more fundamentally, Kazakhstan a bilateral meeting between President seeks to use the EXPO as a catalyst for Nazarbayev and President Obama at the incorporating alternative energy sources Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague in into its national infrastructure. March. Energy diversification is key to Kazakhstan’s sustainable development. Indeed, 2014 is the 20th anniversary EXPO 2017 By 2050, Kazakhstan aims to generate half of the completion of Project Sapphire, at of its energy needs through wind, solar and the time a top-secret bilateral operation that Meanwhile, nothing speaks more clearly of hydroelectric power. Already a land bridge removed 600 kilograms of weapon grade Kazakhstan’s commitment to addressing the between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan is highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Ust- future security of global energy supplies than working towards becoming a “green bridge”, Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, to Oak Ridge its successful campaign to host the World a crucible of green energy industries from National Laboratory here in the United Fair EXPO 2017, featuring the theme “Future which the region, indeed, the world will benefit.

THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Our “green” efforts are not limited to fish production by three times and reduced example, by recently donating to the Multi preparing for the EXPO 2017. Kazakhs’ the salinity of the water by half. The second, Partner Trust Fund to combat the Ebola strong historical culture of pastoral-nomadism five-year phase of SYNAS will begin soon, tragedy in West Africa. have given them an intimate appreciation focusing on the rehabilitation of infrastructure In addition to providing humanitarian of the natural world – in particular and the surrounding the water. assistance to Ukraine, Kazakhstan is fully continuing need to ensure secure supplies engaged in the efforts to promote an ongoing of food and water. Hence, in cooperation Countering global threats dialogue, deescalate the conflict, and implement with the World Bank, Kazakhstan has now confidence-building measures. To that end, completed the first phase of the Syr Darya As an upper middle income country, Kazakhstan has provided financial support Control and Northern Aral Sea Project Kazakhstan has used its prosperity to help the OSCE’s special monitoring mission in (SYNAS-1), which raised the volume of the counter threats to global peace, security Ukraine. Northern Aral sea by 68 per cent, increased and humanity – in the latter case, for In Afghanistan, Kazakhstan financed the construction of the Talugan-Kunduz- Shirkhan-Bandar road as well as a school and hospital. Between 2009 and 2015, Kazakhstan is providing scholarships to 1,000 Afghan graduate students to study in Kazakhstan’s universities and then return Kazakhstan home to apply their education in local communities. Already, over 650 Afghan continues to gro w at approaching students have participated in the program. Kazakhstan believes that development aid focused on integrating markets, 5 per cent reducing barriers to trade and improving a year the prosperity of neighboring states is the

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE Kazakhstan has earned the responsibility to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council

best policy tool to ensure long-term stability becoming the first Central Asian state partners. I am personally proud of the and security in Central and South Asia to agree an Enhanced Partnership and progress our country has achieved over the following the withdrawal of US and other Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with past twenty-three years as an independent military forces from Afghanistan. Kazakhstan Brussels. Signed in September by President nation, and I am optimistic about the future. is a pioneer and strong advocate for Nazarbayev and (then) EU Commission On behalf of Kazakhstan, I thank you for regional cooperation in Central Asia and President José Manuel Barroso, it envisages attending the Kazakhstan-US Convention, wider Eurasian area – a policy which flows advanced and mutually beneficial relations and I hope, in particular, for those of you from our belief in the free movement of in all spheres. participating for the first time that it is the goods, funds, people, and transfer of beginning of a relationship with our technologies, good practices and ideas Kazakhstan Security Council bid Embassy, our companies, our think tanks, essential for building strong and free universities and our people. / economies and societies. That is the main Kazakhstan successfully chaired the OSCE reason for Kazakhstan to initiate and be in 2010, the Organization of Islamic part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Cooperation in 2011-2013 and is a sitting an increasingly large market, which can be member of the UN Human Rights Council. accessed by the multi-national companies And in the light of this strong track record based in Kazakhstan. It is especially so of global engagement and a commitment for the citizens of top ten investor countries, to international peace and security, including the US, who can visit Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, in my view, has earned the without any visa for short trips up to 2 weeks. responsibility to serve as a non-permanent Moreover, with the United States, we have member of the United Nations Security a bilateral agreement to mutually issue Council for the 2017-2018. 5-year visas to our nationals. Finally, Kazakhstan is a sovereign state Kazakhstan has also recently deepened that welcomes friendly relations and strategic its relations with the European Union (EU), engagement with all willing, peace-loving

THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Program

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE: 2ND KAZAKHSTAN-US CONVENTION

10 December 20 14 – The Willard Intercontinental, Washington DC

07:00-07:30 REGISTRATION Congressman Mark Meadows R-NC 07:30-09:00 Congressman Joseph Pitts R-PA BREAKFAST & OPENING CEREMONY Congressman Austin Scott R-GA Congressman Steve Stockman R-TX Moderator: Congressman Marc Veasey D-TX

Former Congressman Don Bonker David M.Rubenstein Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Carlyle Group Islambek Salzhanov Director General, Altyn Kyran Group Speakers: Alan Spence CEO, Strategic Matters LLP

Ambassador Kairat Umarov Jerry Nichols CEO and President, Allen Global 10:20-10:45 Christopher W DeWitt Regional Director Central and POLITICAL SESSION: Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Sikorski Aircraft Turning Great Games into Great Gains Congressman Robert Aderholt R-AL - Global and Regional Security: Congressman Jim Bridenstine R-OK Challenges and Opportunities Congressman Henry Cuellar D-TX - Non-proliferation Congressman Phil Gingrey R-GA Moderator: Congressman Hank Johnson D-GA Congressman Billy Long R-MO Frederick Kempe CEO and President of the Atlantic Council

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE Keynote Speakers: Keynote Speaker:

Erlan Idrissov Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Minister of Economic Integration of Kazakhstan Madeleine Albright former Secretary of State Catherine Novelli Under Secretary of State Speakers: Speakers:

Nisha Biswal Assistant Secretary of State Ainur Kuatova Deputy Chair, Astana EXPO-2017 Anne Harrington Deputy Administrator, Assel Yergaziyeva Deputy Chair, KAZNEX INVEST National Nuclear Security Administration Robert Hormats former Under Secretary of State Daniel Poneman former Deputy Secretary of Energy Stiven Green President, Guggenheim International Andrew Kuchins Senior Fellow and Director, Sabr Essimbekov Executive Secretary, CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Q&A Q&A

10:45-11:00 NETWORKING BREAK 18:30-20:30 NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION 11:55-12:30 At Ritz Carlton Hotel BUSINESS SESSION: Kazakhstan-Gateway to Central Asia - New Investment Opportunities - EXPO 2017: Future Energy and Climate Change

Moderator:

William Courtney President, USKBA

Short Video on Investment Opportunities

THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Message

CLOSER AND INCREASINGLY DYNAMIC

The United States and Kazakhstan are working closely together to grow their dynamic partnership against the background of a changing political landscape

Furkan Kosar, President, Council of Turkic American Associations

he Council of Turkic American to take the dynamic and growing partnership Associations (CTAA) is very excited between Kazakhstan and the United States T to co-organize the second Kazakhstan to a whole new level. – US Convention. The theme of the The CTAA is a leading independent convention – ”Working Together for A umbrella organization committed to Secure Future” – is very important because advancing the interaction among American of the changing political landscape in and Turkic people to promote and encourage Central Asia. Kazakhstan is as dynamic continuing good relationship and understanding as the political climate that surrounds it, through its affiliate organizations regardless particularly in relation with the United States. of their ethnic origin, religion and other Already sharing many mutual interests and preferences. The vision of the Kazakhstan-US long-term goals, working together towards Convention echoes many of CTAA’s goals increased partnership will be of enormous – to build and support the political benefit to both nations. empowerment of Turkic Americans by The United States and Kazakhstan have functioning as a powerful advocate for enjoyed twenty-two years of dynamic and dialogue at the grassroots level among growing partnership. Working closely and Turkic-American and American communities, cooperatively together, since December 25, as well as at the national level among 1991 when the US was the first country We were delighted to co-host the first Turkic states and the United States. to recognize Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan’s Kazakhstan-US Convention last year in We hope you will enjoy the second growing role in the region has played honor of the successful strategic partnership Kazakhstan-US Convention! / a significant role in advancing US- between Kazakhstan and the United States Kazakhstan partnership. Kazakhstan is with many notable attendees and guest helping transform Central Asia and the speakers. I believe that the Kazakhstan-US Caspian region. Convention provides an excellent opportunity

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE Message

PROMOTING PURPOSE-DRIVEN TIES

Frederick Kempe President, The Atlantic Council

entral Asia sits at the very center of enduring interests in the sovereignty and the great land mass that stretches from stability of all regional players. CFrance’s Atlantic coast to the shores Against this background, the Atlantic of the Pacific in China. It is a region rich in Council believes that the new and urgent history, strategic value and natural resources. work is required by the Atlantic community While remote from the United States, it is of nations to promote purpose-driven ties surrounded by big neighbors with big and engagement with Eurasia, and the ambitions. How Russia, China, Iran, India Atlantic Council is specifically committed to and channel these ambitions in the the region in a bid to help catalyze common next few years will be major factors in the action to build a prosperous and stable way in which Central Asian countries seek Central Asia. And it inevitably follows from to evolve their own, independent foreign, this Atlantic Council commitment that it is set economic and security policies. All of this to become more involved with Kazakhstan, will have global implications. deadline has brought some comfort, but given its core strategic and economic role Ever since the attack of September 11, has not greatly diminished this concern. in the region. This will be the springboard the United States has devoted substantial It would be a great strategic error for the to greater Transatlantic engagement attention to Afghanistan and Central Asia. United States to turn away from the region throughout Central Asia. / Not surprisingly, the US/coalition troop at this time – or at any time. Its geopolitical withdrawals from Afghanistan are giving rise location, beside two of the world’s great to considerable concern that the Transatlantic powers at a time of increased uncertainty, Community and particularly the US will will become only more important over time. demonstrate much less interest in Central Whether the threats are those of radical Asia. The extension by the US Administration extremism or revisionism, whether they are of direct action by US troops against the of economic underdevelopment or of access Taliban beyond the original end-2014 to natural resources, the United States has

THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Highlights

PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION e t a t S

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H.E. Erlan Idrissov, Foreign Minister met Secretary of State in New York, September 2014. During the talks, Secretary Kerry reiterated strong US support for Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, President Nazarbayev and The joint statement also confirmed United and its increasing leadership on the world President Obama met at the States’ support for the efforts of the Republic stage, and thanked the Foreign Minister for Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, of Kazakhstan to host the International Kazakhstan’s longstanding support for the March 2014. In a joint statement the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Low Enriched security, political and economic transitions Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Uranium (LEU) Bank, establish a Regional in Afghanistan. States of America confirmed a shared Nuclear Security Training Center, and Secretary Kerry also expressed his strong commitment to nonproliferation strengthen its emergency preparedness, support for Kazakhstan’s eventual accession and strengthening nuclear security. response and mitigation capabilities. / to the World Trade Organization (WTO). /

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE Dr Ernest Moniz Secretary of Energy Kazakhstan has been one of our strongest Rep Robert Aderholt partners in nuclear Rep Jim Bridenstine Kazakhstan plays a growing nonproliferation... I would like to thank role in the global economy The US looks forward to Kazakhstan for its significant by allowing companies to continuing to partner with contribution to the US during expand and invest in the Kazakhstan to strengthen its war efforts in Afghanistan. region and by deepening nuclear security around the world and As a Navy pilot, I flew over and expanding economic pursue our shared vision for a world Kazakhstan on numerous cooperation in the fields without nuclear weapons. / occasions. Kazakhstan US P EACE INSTITUTE , S EPTEMBER 2014 of energy, manufacturing and industry played a very important role with its development. / humanitarian initiatives, such as sending peacekeeping troops to Iraq in 2003 to Senator Kelly Ayotte Rep Mike Honda help in water purification projects. / US was the first country to US and Kazakhstan share recognize Kazakhstan as an a long social, political and Rep Mark Meadows independent nation in 1991. economic ties. Kazakhstan The mutual respect, trust and friendship The 1994 bilateral investment has already proven itself between Kazakhstan and treaty between the US and as a great leader in nuclear the United States are what Kazakhstan was the first step nonproliferation, and as a will make both countries to increased facilitation of Japanese-American whose prosperous, and we should trade and investment. Since then, Kazakhstan spouse is from Hiroshima, I understand recognize Kazakhstan’s has played key roles in advancing security how extremely critical and significant past, and we must focus in the region by preventing terrorism, Kazakhstan’s leadership is. / on its future. / engaging in peacekeeping and participating in the Steppe Eagle joint exercises between the US, Kazakhstan and the UN. /

THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Retrospective

1ST KAZAKHSTAN-US CONVENTION

Hyatt Regency, Washington DC 11 December 2013

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SECURE FUTURE THE 2 ND KAZAKHSTAN US CONVENTION Endpiece

KAZAKHSTAN MATTERS

Alan Spence CEO Strategic Matters LLP

t the outset, some 23 years ago, there with US, observer status at the African were doubts in some world capitals Union and is increasingl y looking to build A that Kazakhstan would survive as ties with South America. A valued partner a new, independent country – its post-Soviet in the coalition against global terror, it era infrastructure and industry arguably no continues to play a key role in helping basis for a viable, stable economy capable Afghanistan become a secure state. of meeting the basic needs of a population Inevitably, over the years, it has played of 16 million people, let alone improving an increasing role in the global nuclear the quality of their everyday life. non-proliferation movement – perhaps But it did survive. Moreover it has most significantly helping to facilitate talks become a country that matters – obviously between Iran, the US and others on Tehran’s to the people of Kazakhstan, but increasingly nuclear program. to the Central Asia region and, indeed, of accelerated industrial development. Next year it chairs the Commonwealth to all those countries around the world As its economic take-off gathered pace, of Independent States and is on the cusp striving for peace and stability. especially in the energy sector, the country of becoming a member of the World Trade The decision by President to dismantle sought to increasingly engage, both Organisation. It successfully bid to hold the country’s arsenal of nuclear weapons commercially and politically, throughout World Expo Astana 2017 themed “Future was a declaration to the world that Central Asia – and subsequently on the Energy”, an event thought likely to attract Kazakhstan regarded no-one at its enemy global stage. The country is a successful five million visitors. and was a basic foundation stone of the former chair of the Organization for And now Kazakhstan’s campaign is well country’s policy of multilateral engagement. Security and Co-operation in Europe and under to become a non-permanent member In turn, this helped underpin foreign direct the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. of the UN Security Council in 2017/18... investment, initially targeting the natural It has a partnership arrangement with Hopefully, as a country increasingly resource sector and later a broad range NATO, a close relationship with the regarded as one that matters, it will be of diversified industries under a policy European Union, a strategic partnership successful in its UN bid. /

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