The European information TV channel Euronews today, May 28, 2024, published an article by the head of state Kasym-Jomart Tokayev. In it, the president of Kazakhstan spoke about the role of middle powers, reports Zakon.kz.
The full translation was distributed by Akorda.
“Countries like Kazakhstan should come forward with new strength and declare their role not only as participants, but also as responsible players in the global arena.
In today’s world, marked by extreme geopolitical turbulence and constant conflicts, the need for multilateral solutions is more urgent than ever.
Wars in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, while climate change is leaving millions hungry, vulnerable and homeless. These conflicts seem intractable, with no hope for improvement. Against this backdrop of global discord, traditional powers – the world’s economic and political giants – are increasingly less able to work together.
The conflict in Ukraine has created a diplomatic stalemate, the ongoing situation in Gaza is a huge humanitarian disaster, and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are pushing risky actions at the expense of more constructive engagement. Meanwhile, structures established to promote international consensus, such as the United Nations, face paralysis and stalemate.
Middle powers, flexible key players
The veto power held by the permanent members of the UN Security Council often leads to stalemates, preventing decisive action on the global crisis and leading to recurring scenarios where unilateralism (unilateral action) is favored over collective action. This further undermines the spirit of multilateralism (multilateralism) and reduces confidence in international institutions. Against this backdrop, middle powers such as Kazakhstan emerge as key players with growing opportunities to bring about greater stability, peace and development in their regions and beyond.
Unencumbered by the complexities of superpower politics, we have the flexibility to successfully navigate complex diplomatic landscapes and pave the way for compromise and reconciliation. Even without as much global influence as the world’s superpowers, countries like ours have the economic power, military capabilities and, perhaps more importantly, the political will and diplomatic skill necessary to make a significant impact on the global stage on issues of food and energy security, green transition and IT, and supply chain sustainability.
Moreover, middle powers are deeply committed to multilateralism. Unlike superpowers, which may feel constrained by these institutions, charting their own course, our countries depend on these critical global mechanisms to resolve disputes, protect territorial integrity, and address common challenges such as climate change and pandemics.
Agenda: peacemaking and sustainable development
Kazakhstan has always been deeply committed to multilateralism, constantly seeking new venues for international dialog and joint action.
In addition to our ongoing work on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we are actively promoting the establishment of a new multilateral agency focused on biosecurity to prevent the devastating effects of man-made pandemics and bioterrorism on a global scale.
We are also proud to co-chair this year, along with France, the first One Water Summit, which aims to bring together countries and communities around the world facing the challenges of water scarcity and desertification. In addition, we have offered to host the new UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan to coordinate regional efforts to combat the effects of climate change.
We are also not afraid to offer our assistance in finding solutions to protracted conflicts. This is evidenced by our recent commitment to peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia – an effort that underscores our belief in the power of middle powers to advance dialogue and promote peace.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a valuable opportunity to reflect on the return and resurgence of divisions among the world’s great powers in the post-Cold War era.
More importantly, however, the road to global unity is not off the beaten track – it has been traveled successfully before. The world has overcome differences before and can do so again through diplomacy and dialog.
We must all work together to breathe new life into our world
With the multilateral system under severe strain, it takes countries of all sizes – large, medium and small – to breathe new life into it. However, with the big powers less and less willing to trust the process and the small countries lacking influence, it is the duty of the middle powers to lead the way.
Countries like Kazakhstan must step up and assert their role not only as participants but also as responsible players on the global stage.
At this critical moment, we call on all our international partners to join us in strengthening multilateralism – to revitalize and invest in a global system in which we have achieved much.
Let our collective action reflect our commitment not only to a more peaceful present, but also to a prosperous and harmonious future. The task is difficult, but with determination, leadership and a strong commitment to dialogue, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s successes. Let us lead the way to an era of multilateral renewal.”
Note that this is not the first article of the leader of Kazakhstan. For example, on September 20, 2023, the American print and online political publication The Hill published an article by Kasym-Jomart Tokayev about the UN.
In January-March 2024, companies belonging to the Ukrcement association increased cement production by 46.3% compared to the same period in 2023, up to 1 million 477.9 thousand tons of cement, the Ukrcement press service reports.
According to the association, the figure for January-March this year almost reached the same period in pre-war 2021, when the volume of cement produced amounted to 1.56 million tons.
At the same time, clinker production in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 8.5% compared to the first quarter of last year and amounted to 878.5 thousand tons.
As reported, in 2023, the total volume of cement produced in Ukraine increased by 37% compared to the previous year and amounted to 7.4 million tons.
The Ukrcement Association was established in January 2004 through the reorganization of the Ukrainian Concern of Enterprises and Organizations of the Cement Industry Ukrcement. The Association comprises five groups of companies including nine cement enterprises.
Population structure of Ukraine (data from ukrainian institute of future)
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
In May, Ukrainian traders contracted 620 tons of Ukrainian sunflower oil for export, which is showing very fast growth, but in July-August, the export rate may slow down, according to the analytical cooperative “Start”, created within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (AAC).
“Sunflower oil prices are rising due to limited supply on the world market. The main producers of sunflower oil in the world are Russia and Ukraine. Russia exports the majority of its production to China, while other buying countries turn to Ukraine, where supply is limited. This leads to higher prices for sunflower oil,” the analysts explained.
According to them, the purchase price for sunflower in Ukraine has already exceeded 18 thousand UAH/ton. However, the mills are ready to buy it even at high prices due to low stocks. In addition, the resumption of port operations in March-February led to a significant reduction in sunflower stocks, which also affects the price increase.
Processing plants are operating with minimal profit in anticipation of the new oilseed season. The current prices often bring minimal profit or even losses to the plants, but their main goal is to maintain operations until the rapeseed season starts, when a new crop will be processed, experts believe.
“This week we expect further growth in sunflower prices. The crushing plants will continue to buy sunflower at the current prices, which range from 18.1-18.2 thousand UAH. By the end of the week and early next year, purchase prices are expected to reach 19 thousand UAH/ton,” Pusk predicts.
The Interfax-Ukraine news agency is deeply saddened to announce the death of its founder and head, Oleksandr Martynenko, in Kyiv on Tuesday. He was 63 years old.
The agency’s staff continues to work in full. All news and other information products are and will continue to be published as usual. The staff of Interfax-Ukraine would like to express their gratitude for the emotional support of the team in connection with the loss and warm words addressed to the founder of the agency and express their condolences to the family and friends of Oleksandr Martynenko.
The date and place of the funeral will be announced later.
Oleksandr Martynenko, born in 1960, graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Kharkiv State University and founded and headed Interfax-Ukraine in 1992. He also served as Deputy Head (1991) and Consultant (2001) of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine (1998-2001), Secretary of the Presidential Council on Information Policy (2001-2002), and member of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting (2002-2003).
He is a holder of the Order of Merit III degree (2022), the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree (2020). Since 2010, he has been an Honored Journalist of Ukraine.
“Interfax-Ukraine is an independent Ukrainian news agency that has been operating in the Ukrainian political and economic information market since 1992. It produces more than 40 news products in four languages. The agency’s editorial office is located in Kyiv. “Interfax-Ukraine is not a part of foreign media holdings. The founder and owner of Interfax-Ukraine was Oleksandr Martynenko. As reported at the end of 2023, Interfax-Ukraine news agency became the official representative of the international company Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) in the Ukrainian market, and since 2005 the agency has been a member and official service provider of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.
Sweden will provide Ukraine with the 16th and largest military aid package since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Swedish government’s website reports.
It is noted that the new capabilities will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. The aid package amounts to 13.3 billion Swedish kronor ($1.3 billion) and meets Ukraine’s priority needs.
Sweden is providing radar reconnaissance and control aircraft (ASC 890) to Ukraine, thereby strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Sweden is transferring the entire Swedish fleet of Pansarbandvagn 302 (Pbv 302) to support the creation of new brigades in the Ukrainian army. Sweden will also send artillery ammunition and resources to maintain previously donated equipment.
Since Russia’s brutal offensive war, Sweden has allocated 43.5 billion kronor for military support to Ukraine.
The 16th military support package also includes: financial support for coalitions of capabilities; financial support for funds and initiatives that allow for the rapid and large-scale procurement of equipment for Ukraine. The Swedish Defense Research Agency will also be tasked with supporting Ukraine in establishing its own defense research institute.
As part of this package, the capabilities of Ukraine’s combat command are further strengthened by the transfer of terminals with satellite communications subscriptions.
