Kazakh Leadership in OSCE, OIC to help promote East-West dialogue
This incoming chairmanship holds special meaning for the country which this year chairs the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as it will present a unique chance for Astana to further promote one of its major foreign policy goals, that of fostering greater understanding and cooperation between the East and the West. Kazakhstan's successive chairmanship in these two authoritative organizations offers a rare window of opportunity to elevate cooperation between the OSCE, where Kazakhstan will remain in the so called "troika" of current, former and future chairman, and the OIC, as well as between their member states in order to fully benefit from their potential and share expertise.
Large-scale inter-institutional cooperation between the OSCE and the OIC has been long advocated by Kazakhstan. For that matter, the purposes and goals of the OIC are quite similar to those of the OSCE as both organisations commit themselves to building peace, greater international security and stability. As the OSCE chair, Kazakhstan has initiated a multidimensional dialogue on issues of security, economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two organisations.
As is widely known, the Muslim world today faces massive challenges and security threats. In addition to the long-standing problems of poverty, illnesses, illiteracy, hunger and burden of debt, protracted conflicts and newly inflicted wars stand high on the agenda of OIC member states. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the stagnation of the Middle East settlement, and the recent inter-ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan demand intensified international cooperation.
Against this background, leaders in Astana believe Kazakhstan, as an anchor of stability in Central Asia, Kazakhstan at the OIC helm can make valuable progress in enhancing security and promoting economic cooperation. Moreover, the accumulated experience as the OSCE chair will help Kazakhstan develop new capacities to effectively navigate the complexity and unpredictability of global challenges. This will help shape the road to building a common security space without dividing lines, a concept put forward by Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship.
Values of moderation and tolerance Kazakhstan has nurtured over the years of its independence form the basis of the country's close cooperation within the OSCE and the OIC. Fostering intercultural, inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue, an area in which Kazakhstan has excelled, may be a particularly relevant subject for both organizations. Kazakhstan is not just a supporter, but also an initiator of such processes. A successful example is the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions that has already convened in Astana three times.
Given the ongoing global economic crisis, Kazakhstan's incoming OIC presidency intends to work towards the adoption of a long-term programme for OIC financial and economic assistance to the least developed countries of the Islamic world. Astana has advanced an initiative to convene in Kazakhstan large-scale events such as the Seventh Session of the World Islamic Economic Forum, the Third Conference of the OIC Health Ministers and others that will further contribute to meeting the challenges faced by the Muslim World.
By playing a key role in the OIC, Kazakhstan wants to uphold cohesion of the Muslim countries and make the OIC more audible in the international arena. In fact, among the keywords for its OIC presidency, Astana will choose tolerance, progress and prosperity.
Founded in 1969, the OIC unites 57 countries with the population of more than 1.5 billion. Thus, the OIC is the largest regional intergovernmental organization in the world, followed by the OSCE which consists of 56 participants.
The OIC's main goal is to promote cooperation and coordination among its member states and to raise and address the political, socio-economic, cultural challenges faced by the Islamic world.
Kazakhstan joined the Organization in 1995 and since then through the General Secretariat and its specialized and affiliated organs, has been contributing to the efforts of the Muslim community to develop new confidence building measures, enhance economic cooperation, and promote cultural diversity, mutual respect and understanding, Kazinform refers to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK.