Astana/New Delhi: While the international community moves towards an era of increased polarization and geopolitical division, Kazakhstan has launched a new international conference, the Astana International Forum, to join efforts on tackling key global challenges.

The Forum will be held under the aegis of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on June 8–9 next, in Astana.

It will serve as a platform for eminent delegates from governments, international organizations, business, and academia, to engage in a dialogue to seek ways to address climate, food scarcity and energy security challenges.

Commenting on the launch of the Astana International Forum, President Tokayev noted:“Today, across the globe we face historic challenges, the likes of which we have not encountered for decades or longer. These challenges are putting unprecedented pressure on the international community, creating new dividing lines and challenging the principles of globalization and multilateralism."

The Astana International Forum was created to respond to these challenges, prioritizing cooperation as a core tenet of a functioning international system.

"Kazakhstan has a long history of advancing constructive international relations, serving as a bridge between East and West – and while this policy has been firmly tested in 2022, it has proven resilient. We have shown the value of cooperation," he said.

"Through the Astana International Forum, we hope to build new bridges and strengthen ties, as we come together to overcome the collective challenges we face, charting a new way forward – diplomatically, economically and politically.”

The Astana International Forum grew out of the success of the Astana Economic Forum. It was conceptualized to address four key global issues: foreign policy, security & sustainability, energy & climate, and economy & finance. These pillars are at the heart of the Forum’s mission of “Tackling Challenges through Dialogue: Towards Cooperation, Prosperity and Progress.”

The programme of the Forum will include keynote speeches, panel sessions, armchair discussions, and other side events.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Ambassador Kairat Sarybay said India, which is a CICA member since 2002, can play a key role in advancing the agenda of CICA, a 28-nation grouping, in boosting "Asian spirit" and expanding economic cooperation and connectivity.

Sarybay met Indian Ministry of External Affairs officials and the junior minister on Tuesday.

Sarybay said while bilateral issues between countries like India and its neighbours Pakistan or China can be sorted between themselves, it is serious about combating terrorism.

“India can play an important role to expand cooperation in areas like connectivity and economic cooperation,” he said