Astana, Kazakhstan, April 4. President of
Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed developing the “Erasmus+
for Central Asia” program, with a focus on training specialists in
priority sectors such as artificial intelligence, water resource
management, biotechnology, and others, during his speech at the
“Central Asia – European Union” summit in Samarkand, Trend reports.
In his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid special attention to
digital technologies and the development of artificial
intelligence.
“Kazakhstan is actively investing in these areas. Earlier this
year, an International Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence
was established under the President of Kazakhstan. A program to
train 100,000 IT specialists is being implemented in the country. A
high-tech center, Alem. AI is being created in Astana to support
innovation, startup creation, and research in this field. We have
also launched a Venture Fund to accelerate the development of
artificial intelligence. Through the Team Europe initiative, the
European Union is supporting Central Asian countries in developing
cooperation in digital technologies. Kazakhstan is ready for
collaboration and experience sharing. In this regard, I propose
launching the ‘Central Asia – European Union’ Innovation Campus at
Astana Hub,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Tokayev underscored that the EU has always been an important
partner for Kazakhstan in science and education.
“Our countries are actively cooperating within the frameworks of
Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and other initiatives. The opening of
more than thirty branches of foreign universities in Kazakhstan is
helping to promote useful academic knowledge in our country. We are
interested in further receiving grants and scholarships, and such
programs are already being implemented in cooperation with several
European countries,” added the President.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also noted the importance of international
security and stability as a key factor for sustainable development.
He emphasized that Kazakhstan is firmly committed to a balanced
foreign policy, expanding cooperation with all interested countries
and major organizations, including the EU.
Reminding of the growing global instability, the President
called for restraint and responsibility in assessing the complex
events occurring in the world. On the 80th anniversary of the
United Nations, he urged all countries to focus efforts on
upholding the UN Charter and universally recognized principles of
international law and to support the work of UN Secretary-General
António Guterres.
In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked the participants of
the event and European partners for supporting the initiative to
create the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for
Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. In his view, this Center
will effectively contribute to the advancement of the universal
“Agenda 2030” and help address pressing social, economic, and
environmental issues in the region.
Today, the “Central Asia – European Union” summit took place in
Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The “Central Asia – European Union” summit
is an important diplomatic meeting where cooperation issues between
the Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and the European Union are discussed.
These summits are usually held to strengthen political, economic,
and cultural ties between the two regions.