On Oct. 25, Kazakhstan celebrates its Republic Day. In September this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, after signing the relevant decree, declared this day a national holiday and a symbol of “the country’s bold step toward statehood.” This holiday is linked with a historical event — the adoption of the declaration on state sovereignty of Kazakhstan in 1990. It was the country’s first step toward independence. This document proclaimed state sovereignty, and declared Kazakhstan’s political and legal foundations as an independent state. The document also proclaimed the principle of independent solutions to the country’s political, economic, social and national-cultural issues. After the declaration’s adoption, Kazakhstan obtained the right to form its own administrative and territorial structure, and to determine the structure and competence of state power and administration bodies, as well as the symbols of the republic. Thus, 32 years ago, on Oct. 25, 1990, Kazakhstan, for the first time, declared itself a republic, with its own worldview, individual customs and traditions, as well as a vision of its future development. Today, the world knows Kazakhstan as a peaceful and dynamically developing country in the Central Asian region, advocating mutually beneficial cooperation and integration. Political and social stability are critical factors for the progressive development of Kazakh society and the state. Kazakhstan is implementing gradual, step-by-step reforms to improve the living conditions of the population and our citizens. The process of modernizing the country’s political life and building a “new Kazakhstan” has been launched. Tokayev has outlined the goals of future reforms as a drift from the super-presidential form of government to a presidential republic with a “strong parliament and accountable government.” The country established a National Council of Public Trust consisting of civil society representatives. The principle of a “listening state” was also proclaimed, simplifying all bureaucratic delays, and allowing citizens to put questions directly to the authorized bodies and receive a quick response on all aspects of problems that concern them. The process of modernizing the country’s political life and building a “new Kazakhstan” has been launched. Berik Arin Today Kazakhstan is one of the 50 most competitive economies in the world. Successes in economic development have contributed to the growth of the welfare of Kazakhstan’s population. Thus, for the last decades of independence, the national economic output has increased 24-fold. Kazakhstan, thanks to the diligence of the people, which witnesses peace and harmony as the main principles of development of modern society, as well as an open and multi-vector policy, takes its rightful place among the world community. It has become one of the 30 leading countries with a digital economy in a short historical period. Over the years of independence, more than $390 billion of foreign direct investment has been attracted to Kazakhstan — more than 70 percent of the total investment inflow to the Central Asian region. A new generation has been nurtured and brought up, mastering the best achievements of world science and culture. Since the first day of independence, we have pursued a policy of long-term stability, civil peace, interethnic harmony and interfaith dialogue, ensuring sustainable growth and development for our country. The successes of Kazakhstan would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of friendly countries, including brotherly Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was one of the first to recognize the independence of Kazakhstan and establish diplomatic relations. Over the years, relations between our countries have rapidly developed and become multifaceted. Thanks to mutual support, as well as the strong political will of the leaders of our countries, trusting, friendly and fraternal relations have been established between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia today. This year, at the invitation of King Salman, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Tokayev paid the first official visit to Saudi Arabia, which opened a new stage in bilateral relations. Talks between Tokayev and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman covered a range of issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on current international and regional issues. Our countries’ leaders reaffirmed their mutual desire to intensify trade, economic and investment contacts, and expand and deepen the political dialogue. During the visit, we also held the Kazakh-Saudi Investment Forum, with the participation of leading Kazakh and Saudi companies, including Acwa Power, Ajlan & Bros Holding Group, SALIC, Saudi National Bank, SABIC, Alhokair Group, FlyNas, SPIMACO, Al Rajhi International for Investment, Jamjoom Pharma and others. On the sidelines of this forum, the parties signed several important bilateral documents. We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the leadership of Saudi Arabia for the high-level organization of the visit of the Kazakh president and the warm hospitality provided to the Kazakh delegation. Over the years of independence, more than $390 billion of foreign direct investment has been attracted to Kazakhstan. Berik Arin This year, Kazakh-Saudi relations gained further momentum during the visit to Kazakhstan of Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Kingdom’s foreign minister, and the visit to Saudi Arabia of Mukhtar Tleuberdi, the Kazakh deputy prime minister and foreign minister. Within the framework of these visits, the parties paid particular attention to the implementation of the agreements reached at a high level, and the intensification of comprehensive cooperation and mutual support in international issues. In addition to trade and economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, spiritual and other relations, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia are reliable partners in the international arena. The two countries’ positions on global issues are coinciding, while similar constructive cooperation continues within the framework of the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international bodies. Kazakhstan has supported Saudi Arabia’s international initiatives this year, such as holding Expo 2030 in Riyadh, and entering the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization and other international structures. In turn, Kazakhstan expresses gratitude to the Saudi side for active participation in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions’ activities, and for supporting Kazakhstan’s initiatives in promoting interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance. On Sept. 14-15, Saudi Minister for Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh took part in the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. More than 100 delegations from 60 countries participated in the forum. Al-Asheikh was received by Tokayev and the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament Maulen Ashimbayev, and held separate meetings with the heads of ministries and agencies of Kazakhstan. Representatives of the World Islamic League, headed by Deputy Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al-Zayd, also participated in the forum. It is noteworthy that representatives of the Kingdom regularly participate in the meetings of the Congress, and make a significant contribution to the content of the forum and the preparation of the final documents of this event. On Sept. 26-27, as part of developing cultural, humanitarian and religious ties between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Kingdom’s minister of Hajj and Umrah, paid an official visit to Astana. During this visit, the parties discussed the two countries’ interaction in organizing pilgrimages for Kazakh citizens. They also agreed to launch direct flights between the major cities of Kazakhstan, Almaty and Aktau, to Madinah at the beginning of 2023. Today, Kazakhstan follows with interest the development of the political and economic life of Saudi Arabia, and it is encouraging for Kazakhstan to see the impressive social and economic transformations of the Kingdom as part of the implementation of the Vision 2030. The breakthrough mega-projects NEOM, The Line and OXAGON are of particular interest, and designed to become flagships and the embodiment of the “ecological city of the future.” We applaud Saudi Arabia’s efforts to address environmental issues in the Middle East and the world, and support the Saudi Green and Green Middle East initiatives. For its part, Kazakhstan is also working to promote global sustainable development, attracting foreign best practices, green technologies, investments, and implementing joint projects. Kazakhstan sincerely welcomes the achievements of Saudi Arabia and attaches great importance to further strengthening comprehensive cooperation between our countries. We are confident that under the wise leadership of King Salman and Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia will achieve all its goals and objectives, and further bolster its credibility among the world community. • Berik Arin is Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.