Experts Highlight AIF’s Valuable Contributions to Global Discourse on Urgent Issues
Astana International Forum: Experts Highlight the Significance of Addressing Global Challenges
The recent Astana International Forum held in Astana on June 8-9 provided a valuable platform for addressing pressing global issues, according to experts who attended the event. The forum gathered leading experts from various fields to discuss critical challenges such as climate change, energy security, and geopolitics.
Imran Ahmad, CNN Regional Representative for Central Asia and Africa, praised the forum for bringing attention to important environmental issues. He highlighted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s focus on the environment in his speech at the plenary session. Ahmad emphasized the need for world leaders to prioritize these issues, as they will impact future generations. He commended the Astana International Forum for providing an ideal platform to address these concerns.
One of the panel sessions at the forum focused on the environment and featured the CEO of TotalEnergies, a French energy company. Ahmad found this session enlightening, as it showcased how large oil companies are supporting and investing in alternative energy sources.
Kazakhstan’s efforts in hosting high-level international gatherings were also lauded. Ahmad praised Kazakhstan’s role as a negotiator and bridge builder in resolving conflicts, citing events such as the Astana Process talks on Syria and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He emphasized the importance of promoting tolerance and bringing people of different beliefs together.
President Tokayev’s proposal to host a Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations was met with enthusiasm. Ahmad highlighted the need for combined efforts from governments, international organizations, commercial entities, and energy companies to address climate change and improve the situation for future generations.
Jean de Ruyt, a political analyst and former Belgian ambassador, welcomed the forum’s expansion from solely focusing on economics to encompassing political and global issues. He praised the forum’s timing and location in Central Asia, given the current geopolitical context and global attention on the region.
Climate change and the energy crisis were identified as important topics that the forum successfully covered. De Ruyt highlighted the significance of addressing climate change, as it affects political, economic, and global issues.
Dr. Almaz Sharman, president of the Academy of Preventive Medicine of Kazakhstan and the National Center for Nutrition, emphasized the forum’s broad coverage of challenges in the modern world, including healthcare. He highlighted the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases to better prepare for future pandemics.
Sharman expressed optimism that the forum would raise awareness about public health and lead to increased funding for research and public health initiatives. He believed that the political support generated from the conference would be vital in addressing global health challenges.
Overall, the Astana International Forum provided a valuable platform for experts to exchange ideas and propose solutions to critical global challenges. The forum’s focus on environmental issues, geopolitics, and healthcare demonstrated its commitment to addressing pressing issues and fostering international cooperation. Experts praised Kazakhstan’s role as a mediator and its efforts in promoting tolerance and dialogue among different nations and world leaders.
