Landscape Kazakhstan. Photoalbum

Kazakhstan is a huge country covering a territory equivalent to the whole of Western Eorope. It has vast mineral resources, enormous economic potential, rich traditions, culture and history as well as an extradinarily varied landscape which includes high mountains, deserts, steppes and fertile plains.

The Kazakhs, descendants of ancient Turkic tribes which who became part of Gengiz Khan`s realm, created one of the world`s last great nomadic empires in the late 15 th and 16 th centuries. Over the next 300 years, Russia annexed their lands in the, moving settlers into the area. The autonomous Kazakh Republic was formed within the Russian Federation in 1920 and became a full Republic of the Soviet Union sixteen years later. On December 16, 1991 as the Soviet Union broke up, Kazakhstan declared its independence.

The population, like the landscapes, is famously diverse with more than 130 ethnic groups. Kazakhs make up more than half of the country`s 17 million people, Russians just over a quarter, and Ukrainians, Germans, Chechens, Kurds, Koreans, other Central Asian ethnic groups accounting for the rest. Peace and harmony in Kazakhstan has been internationally recognized as a model worthy of emulation.

Significant oil and natural gas reserves have made Kazakhstan important to world energy markets. Within a decade of independence, the country became one of the world`s largest oil producers and exporters. The energy sector is seen as a good platform to help Kazakhstan achieve its ambition of becoming a modern, diversified economy with a high value added and hi-tech component. This requires Kazakhstan to become fully integrated into the global economy, to harness efficiently its reserves of energy and mineral resources, increase industrial and agricultural exports, maximise the country`s transit potential and provide a highly skilled and qualified labour force.

Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has become a responsible member of the world community, committed to playing its full role in strengthening regional and global security. Kazakhstan is an active member of many international bodies including the United Nations (UN), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Conference Interaction and Confidence Builiding Measures in Asia (CICA) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The idea of convening the CICA was first proposed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in October 1992, at the 47th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Kazakhstan is determined to continue following its estabished policy initiatives, such as its leading role on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Among the priority issues for Astana is EXPO-2017, which will focus on the theme "Future Energy". EXPO-2017 is the first time that a major international exhibition will be staged in Central Asia. More than 100 countries and 10 international organizations are expected to participate.

The country is also pursuing important new intiatives including the development of the OIC Food Security Organisation in AStana and the expansion of its international aid efforts through KazAID. Kazakhstan`s desire to take a greater role in the region and world lies at heart of its bid for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018.