Since I had the honor and pleasure of hosting my colleague and friend, Mr. Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi foreign minister, in Astana last spring, the horror meted out by Daesh in Iraq, Syria and further afield has continued unabated. The tragic events in Istanbul and Madinah, but also in Nice and Brussels, have been matched by attacks on our own soil where gun attacks in our largest city of Almaty and western city of Aktobe have brought home the harsh realities of this global threat to our peaceful and tolerant country.
The solidarity expressed by countries around the world, including Saudi Arabia, in light of these attacks has been replicated by increasing action on the ground. Ongoing operations have seen Daesh pushed back, with new territories being liberated every week. And although terror attacks remain a grave threat, we can see that they increasingly come not from a position of strength but one of weakness and desperation.
Extremists are at their most effective when they are able to exploit divisions and resentment. They thrive in areas of instability and feed on the anguish brought about by poverty and fear.
This is why the situation in Syria is so perilous. In the face of overwhelming condemnation from around the world, we are still unable to silence the guns in shattered Aleppo and risk driving a whole generation of disaffected and brutalized youths into the arms of an ideology we are all united in opposing.
We are saddened and concerned by the lack of a meaningful dialogue from the two states capable of ending the bloodshed and call on both the United States and Russia to set aside their geopolitical ambitions and work together, along with regional parties, to find a peaceful solution.
However, if we are to call for greater cooperation on this issue, we must also reflect on our own efforts. The Islamic world must shoulder the responsibility for delivering a lasting solution to the ongoing sectarian violence that is blighting the Middle East. We have a duty to our faith, to our people and to the world to unite through our mutual understanding and friendship to deliver real and lasting change.
The wonders and achievements of the Islamic world are vast but we have let our differences define rather than strengthen us. The ongoing tensions between Sunni and Shiite must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and rapprochement if we are to create a positive new narrative for the Middle East. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) provides the platform for this to take place, but strong leadership will also be required.
To this end, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan adopted the Joint Declaration on Islamic Reconciliation in Istanbul earlier this year. It calls for members of the OIC to build inclusive partnerships and follow a constructive approach to the issues of interstate relations and the settlement of conflicts and disputes.
Already we have seen the positive impact Islamic cooperation can provide in the form of the Islamic Organization for Food Security, to be based in Astana, which will coordinate efforts to prevent food shortages across the Ummah. Taking direct action through alleviating poverty and hunger is a practical step that delivers effective outcomes for those that need them most.
Reliable energy and advanced technologies will drive the development of our region through improved living and educational standards. Next year, Astana will host EXPO 2017, the world’s largest “future energy” exhibition as well as the first ever OIC Summit on Science and Technology. Both events will provide an opportunity to learn from world’s finest engineers and scientists and we invite everyone in the Middle East to visit our country to experience this for themselves. Our hope is that through mutual learning and collaboration, we can harness our expertise to meet the future challenges.
It is with these considerations in mind that President Nazarbayev recently established a special prize honouring leaders and activists contributing to global peace and a more secure world for all. The first winner is King Abdallah II of Jordan, who will receive the award, called The Nazarbayev Prize for a Nuclear Weapon Free World and Global Security. The laureate was selected for his tireless work on easing the plight of more than a million refugees from the war-torn Syria, and earlier from Palestine, bringing the prospect of a peaceful future for the Middle East closer and also promoting the idea of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the region. We hope his wise policies will continue contributing to the noble efforts of other Arab leaders to bring peace and prosperity among the challenging realities of the region.
We look forward to reaffirming our close ties with the Arab world during President Nazarbayev’s upcoming visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our two countries may face economic headwinds in the form of declining oil prices but we have faith in the far-sighted strategies our leaders have put into place to deliver the increased prosperity our people deserve. Indeed the great potential for economic cooperation and partnerships across our agricultural, petrochemical and defense sectors and our shared stake in the growth and stability of the Middle East provides great opportunity to develop our relationship even further.
It is the duty of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan, as responsible members of the Ummah, to work together to provide assistance and support to those who need it. As the world watches the unfolding tragedy in Syria, Iraq and Libya, we are ready to work alongside your nation in this struggle for a better future.
• Erlan Idrissov is the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
— Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev arrives on a
two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday, Oct. 24.
