The Presidential Center of the DPA of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted an international round table entitled “The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan: Three Decades of Unity and Development,” dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the APK.
The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the Presidential Center of DPA RK organized the event.
The purpose of the round table was to discuss the unique role of the APK of Kazakhstan in strengthening unity, harmony, and intercultural dialogue over the past 30 years, as well as the contribution of this irreplaceable institution to the development of socio-political stability, the maintenance of peace, and mutual understanding among the country’s ethnic and cultural groups.
About 60 participants attended the session, including state and public figures of Kazakhstan, leaders and members of ethnic-cultural and youth associations, as well as representatives of the parliamentary corps and international organizations.
In his welcoming speech, Marat Azilkhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and head of the Secretariat of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan AP RK, talked about the history and development of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan for thirty years as a unique public institution with constitutional status.
The speaker noted that the Assembly today is a structured system of more than 50 thousand people, where each institution fulfills its important function. More than a thousand ethno-cultural associations are the backbone of the APC, reflecting the richness and diversity of Kazakhstan's national culture. They help representatives of all ethnic groups to preserve and develop their identity, remaining part of the united Kazakh nation.
"The 30-year journey of the Assembly is not just the history of the organization, but an essential component of the state course of our country. This path is based on the idea of national unity, mutual respect and constructive dialog, which was established in the early years of independence. Kazakhstan steadfastly upholds the principle of "Unity in Diversity," which calls for a sensitive and respectful attitude towards the national and religious feelings of its citizens.
In this regard, the anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is a wonderful opportunity not only to summarize the results but, perhaps more importantly, to engage in a broad and open discussion of existing challenges, ways of addressing them, and the future prospects for the development of interethnic relations," said Bakytzhan Temirbolat, Director of the Presidential Center of the DPA of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In his speech, Secretary General of TURKSOY, APC Friendship Ambassador Sultan Raev emphasized that education and culture are key tools for the formation of interethnic harmony and unity in Kazakhstan. The development of these spheres contributes to better understanding between ethnic groups and strengthens national unity. The international experience of countries such as Canada, Switzerland and Singapore provides Kazakhstan with valuable lessons in managing ethno-cultural diversity. Effective management of this sphere will help maintain unity and ensure social stability. Youth initiatives play a significant role in intercultural dialogue by promoting mutual respect and understanding through engagement with diverse cultures.
Senator of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Head of the Kazakhstan Association of Germans "Vozrozhdenie" (Revival) Evgeny Bolgert spoke about the uniqueness of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) as an institution, as well as the contribution of the deputy group nominated by the APC to the work of the Upper House of the Parliament of the country.
In turn, the Chairman of the Association of Belarusian Cultural Centers of Kazakhstan "Rodny Kut" Dmitry Ostankovich highlighted that today the association serves as a platform for strengthening cultural ties, supporting initiatives of the Belarusian diaspora, and contributing to the harmonious development of Kazakhstan’s multinational society.
The event also featured speeches by Mazhilis deputy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Magerram Magerramov, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Evgeny Kochetov, Deputy Director of "Qogamdyk Kelisim" Rufina Usanova, Chairman of " Assembly Zhastary" Timur Dzhumurbayev, and Head of the Department of APK at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University Natalia Kalashnikova.
Reference: The Assembly of the Peoples of Kazakhstan was established on March 1, 1995. In 2007, it was renamed the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. As a result of constitutional reforms in 2007, the Assembly was granted constitutional status and the right to elect 9 deputies to the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, significantly enhancing its political and administrative role.
Today, the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is an instrument of state national policy, focused on ensuring public and political stability in the republic and enhancing the effectiveness of interaction between state and civil society institutions in the sphere of interethnic relations. The Assembly is confidently progressing towards the formation of a Kazakhstani identity, leveraging both international best practices and its mechanisms. Thanks to the Assembly's active work, stability and peace are preserved in the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional Kazakhstan.
