ASTANA – WHAT PEOPLE SAY

 

 

MESSAGE FROM

MR ABDULLAH TARMUGI

SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE

 

Having visited Kazakhstan for the first time in April last year, I had no previous images of the country to compare with. But what I saw, then, was enough to convince me that this was a country which was serious in its will and efforts to progress and become an important entity in Central Asia and globally.

Astana presented itself as a new and modern city – well planned, functional and aesthetically pleasing. But more than that, it is a bustling city full of life and dynamism. Tall, gleaming modern buildings, jostle with each other to reach the sky, wide boulevards serve as arteries where people and machine move to give life to the city; a centre which expresses the hopes and aspirations of the Kazakhs. It is not the building and mortar alone that impresses. Every where I went, I saw faces eager and determined to take on the challenges of the future and to succeed in a fast-changing, fast-moving world.

All this, thanks to the vision, foresight and leadership of President HE Nursultan Nazarbayev and the efforts of the government officials, businessmen and leaders of organizations. They saw the need to move and make the necessary changes to enter the new globalised world.  A new dawn to a bright and sunny day awaits Kazakhstan and its people. And Astana symbolizes this new hope and destiny.

My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the Kazakh government and people on the occasion of Astana’s 10th anniversary as the country’s capital.                     

 

 

MESSAGE FROM H.E. ONG KENG YONG, AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SINGAPORE, DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC STUDIES OF LEE KWAN YEW SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY, EX-SECRETARY GENERAL OF ASEAN

 

Ten years may not be a long period in the history of a capital city. The fact is Astana originated from 1824 and has gone through several metamorphoses with different names over the past 184 years. The most dramatic change has occurred in the last one decade. The physical modernization leaves a deep impression on any visitor and three iconic structures are particularly sensational.

The first is the oceanarium. It is awesome to have such a massive aquarium of dolphins, sharks and many other marine creatures in a city which is situated in the middle of a very flat, semi-desert steppe in north-central Kazakhstan, thousand of kilometers away from any ocean. The second spectacle is the Baiterek, the public-accessible tower rising 100 meters from the ground and offering a bird's-eye view of the capital. The Baiterek was conceptualized from a design of a tree with outstretched foliage, signifying the desire for more of Nature's greenery. The third creation is the monumental six-storey high glass-and-steel pyramid housing the Palace of Peace and Harmony, home for the triennial Congress of World and Traditional Religions, hosted by Kazakhstan. This stunning architectural form reinforces the sober and soulful aspirations of the Congress and celebrates the respect for diversity in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Kazakhstan.

Congratulations and best wishes to the people and Government of Kazakhstan on this occasion of the tenth anniversary of Astana as the capital city of the country.

 

 

MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF

SINGAPORE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

H.E. SIM CHEOK LIM

 

Over the last ten years, Astana has developed into the modern capital city that symbolizes the aspirations of Kazakhstan in looking towards the future. The development of Astana over the last ten years is another remarkable achievement of a new nation.

I have had the honour to witness first hand how Astana has developed in the last decade. The city has literally risen out of the ground and tall modern skyscrapers proudly stand on both banks of the Ishim River. Every time I drive from the airport into Astana, the sight of the city amid the flat steppes of Kazakhstan never ceases to amaze me.

While Kazakhstan is still a relatively new country, it stands poised to take on the challenges of the 21st century with confidence. The city of Astana is proof of the determination of the people of Kazakhstan and the foresight of the President FIE Nursultan Nazarbayev and the leadership of Kazakhstan to meet these challenges head on and to embrace change that will bring about the greater development of Kazakhstan.

I wish to take this opportunity to offer my congratulations and best wishes to the people and Government of Kazakhstan on this occasion of the tenth anniversary of Astana as the capital city of the country. As I rejoice with you on this auspicious occasion, I share with you the confidence that the next ten years will be an even greater decade in the development of Astana and for Kazakhstan alike.

 

 

“Visiting Astana, I was impressed by the huge changes that have taken place in a short period of time. Such sights as the Baiterek Tower and the Pyramid of Peace & Accord are great achievements. And I know that the dynamism of Astana reflects the development of Kazakhstan.”

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations & European Neighborhood Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I have seen the new capital. And I am very impressed with the construction pace and the creation of great beauty.”

Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Today Astana is a symbol of will, modernization and the mobilization of your nation. Kazakhstan is becoming a significant economic power.”

François Fillon, Prime Minister of France

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Kazakhstan looks forward to a big future, we can see it through the rapid development of Astana. It is obvious that your capital is the ‘Dubai of Central Asia.”

Dr Katalin Szili, Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The relations between Kazakhstan and the US are developing dynamically. I hope they will develop as fast as Astana, the young capital of Kazakhstan.”

 Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and the municipality of Astana have made great efforts in making and building the new capital as a scientific, cultural and educational center. Astana became the bright symbol of a young and independent state – the Republic of Kazakhstan.” 

Federico Mayor, former Director General UNESCO