SPONSORED SECTION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 | 1THE GLOBAL EDITION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES.

Kazakhstan’s 20th anniversaryLooking back, thinking ahead

Kazakhstan’s 20th anniversary: Looking back, thinking ahead was produced by the IHTCreative Solutions department and did not involve the newspaper’s reporting or editorialdepartments. Text by CHARLES VAN DER LEEUW and JOSEPH URBANAS. For information onthe IHT Creative Solutions program: www.nytimesglobal.com

NATIONAL VISION | President Nursultan Nazarbayev

The longtime architectof a stable and diverse sovereign state

F rom Kazakhstan’s independence fromthe Soviet Union in 1991 to thepresent day, its head of state, Presi-

dent Nursultan Nazarbayev, has played aproactive role in developing the country intoa modern-day sovereign nation. In the pro-cess, Kazakhstan has transformed from astagnant Soviet republic into a dynamic in-dependent state. Thanks mainly to the pres-ident’s persistence, a number of key ele-ments have propelled Kazakhstan into theranks of fast-emerging economies.

Among them is a principle that has en-abled Kazakhstan to maintain a crucial so-cial prequisite for development: nondiscrim-ination and recognition of personal andcommunal achievement ratherthan of ethnic, cultural or reli-gious background. ThroughoutKazakhstan’s 20 years of inde-pendence, all layers of societyhave included Russian, Ukraini-an, Caucasian, German, Koreanand other ethnicities — menand women who, as a result oftheir personal endeavors, haveearned their rank.

Besides ethnic origin, neithergender nor age trumps merit in Kazakhpeople’s careers, as shown in practice. Incorporate settings, executives of all ethnicbackgrounds share boardrooms. Army com-manders include Russian and other ethnicsenior officers, a mix seen in provincial gov-ernors, mayors and people’s representa-tives at all levels. From corporate board-rooms to government ministries, women areincreasingly present and play a crucial rolein decision- and policy-making. At one point,there were four women in key cabinet posts,including that of deputy prime minister.

The liberal spirit prevalant in public andprofessional life in Kazakhstan has re-moved not only ethnic and social barriers,but also those of age. Young people from alllevels of society have equal access to edu-cation, and thus an opportunity to work theirway up to the top of public and privateinstitutions.

The result has been the arrival of young,dynamic and open-minded people in keygovernment posts and on the boards ofprivate corporations. This, in addition, hasprevented Kazakhstan from becoming abreeding ground for ethnic and other faction-al conflict. It has made Kazakhstan livingproof that prosperity and peace — Presi-dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s longstandingvision — are one and the same.

President Nazarbayev is a head of state

who has never lost his connection with theworking class — where, moreover, he hashis roots. He began his career working withhis hands in the construction of theKaraganda steel complex, a huge industrialsite that has endured and prospered up tothis day. After its opening, Nazarbayevworked there for nine years.

‘‘This was a memorable time,’’ he told theFrench author Pierre-Luc Séguillon in an in-terview in late 2010. ‘‘At that time, with ourown hands we were laying the foundation ofKazakhstan’s industry. Those with whom Iworked side by side at the blast furnace canrightfully be dubbed the steel generation:strong-minded, hard-working, noble people

who proved their professional-ism through hard work ratherthan just words. These are thepeople we need right now aswell.’’

Today, Kazakhs constitute anational community willing towork and study hard, and havegrown into a nation within whichethnic, religious and culturalcommunities live side by side,based on a longstanding tradi-

tion of hospitality and openness to the out-side world.

Another element that unites Kazakhs isa willingness to secure peace through har-mony with their neighbors rather thanthrough threats and confrontation. WitnessKazakhstan’s firm, early steps to ban nucle-ar armaments from its territory and sub-sequent efforts within the Organization forSecurity and Cooperation in Europe, whichKazakhstan chaired through 2010, and inthe Organization of the Islamic Conference,which it chaired this year, as well as other in-ternational platforms, to avoid conflict andmaintain dialogue between nations andregions.

At home, economic development andpolitical liberalization are seen by PresidentNazarbayev as an integrated process. Up-coming Parliamentary elections, scheduledfor Jan. 15, 2012, should result in a newLower House with extended legislativepowers and increased control over execu-tive authority. New democratic rules alsoguarantee the presence of at least two polit-ical parties in Parliament, with the aim of fur-thering political debate and multiparty rep-resentation of different political currents.

This overall trend was stressed in early2008 in the president’s address to the na-tion. ‘‘We shall continue on the path of im-proving Kazakhstan’s political model and

system of government by combining thegenerally accepted tenets of democratic de-velopment and our society’s traditions,’’said President Nazarbayev. ‘‘Over the 16years of our independence, we have imple-mented our own model for securing publicstability and interethnic accord, molding theKazakhstani identity and a shared Kazakh-stani patriotism.’’

For President Nazarbayev, political re-form and socioeconomic progress go handin hand. ‘‘Kazakhstan needs long-term sta-bility, peace and accord to furtherstrengthen the nation and its security, forsustainable economic development and fora better standard of living for our citizens,’’he said. ‘‘The strengthening of party me-chanisms will promote the establishment ofmodern civil society and the general public’sbroad involvement in social processes.’’

Today, Kazakhsconstitutea nationalcommunitywilling to

work and studyhard

There appears to be substantial positiveresponse in Kazakhstan to the president’slong-term strategy. In his inaugurationspeech on April 8, following an overwhelm-ing victory in the most recent presidentialelections, President Nazarbayev noted thatthe people had voted for stability andprosperity.

‘‘This is an example to follow in futureelection campaigns,’’ he said. ‘‘Only in thisway will we develop real democracy and aneffective multiparty environment. The col-lapse of the Soviet Union triggered growingfrustration and apathy. These could be off-set only by increasing welfare, which meanseconomic growth and the pooling of effortsto attain this goal. It is the people’s confi-dence, their deep belief in a better future forour homeland, that has emboldened us tocontinue against all odds.

‘‘We withstood the challenges of theglobal financial and economic downturn be-cause our anticrisis measures were people-centered, whereas most states froze or re-duced their social obligations,’’ PresidentNazarbayev said. ‘‘We staked our future onaccelerated industrialization and innovativedevelopment. Throughout Kazakhstan, newindustries and new jobs were created. Weare now ensuring our entry into the ranks ofthe 50 most competitive nations in theworld.’’

Acknowledging that since the end of theCold War era, globalization has become afact of life, President Nazarbayev observed:‘‘We are developing a policy of an openeconomy to attract new foreign direct andportfolio investment. We intend to ensurethat foreign and local investors have thesame conditions for participating in our

industrialization. With the present 7 percentpostcrisis economic growth [achieved in2010 and expected for 2011], we haveturned to social development and the im-provement of quality of life in Kazakhstan.’’

Still, much work remains to be done inthe years to come. ‘‘I am set to take furthersteps to enhance the effectiveness of thejudicial system,’’ President Nazarbayev saidin his postelection address. ‘‘We willstrengthen measures to eradicate corrup-tion not only through criminal prosecution,but also through the removal of legal loop-holes. We will provide adequate protectionfor the rights and property of individuals andlegal entities. These and other reforms willresult in sustainable economic developmentand increasing welfare in Kazakhstan in thecoming decades.’’

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President Nursultan Nazarbayev addresses the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe conference in Astana in November.

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS | Parliamentary elections

Toward the fruits of democracy

ASTANA | Striking showpieces

Marvels of modern architecture sprout in the capital

A stana in north-central Kazakhstan,the capital since 1997, gives the im-pression of a gleaming, glamorous

science-fiction-style construction complex.The high-towered boomtown on the IshimRiver is located in the middle of the vaststeppe where, for many centuries, traderswith their precious merchandise traveledthe Silk Road.

Today, the city center couldrightly be called a gallery of con-temporary architecture. Modernmasters like Norman Foster, Ri-cardo Bofill, Manfredi Nicolettiand Bjarke Ingels have designeda number of remarkable struc-tures, which together make As-tana a must for anyone inter-ested in advanced construction.

The city center is dominatedby the Bayterek tower, Astana’s most strik-ing landmark. Symbolizing the Tree of Life, acentral element in Kazakh folklore, it istopped with a gold-colored globe, represent-ing the egg laid each year by the magic birdSamruk, which each time was devoured bya giant snake. The ‘‘egg’’ is home to arestaurant.

Along the avenue on which it stands,theaters and nightlife are steadily develop-

ing, helping to transform Astana from a diplo-matic rendezvous into a whirling and worldlyBroadway-style entertainment center.

Foster’s team has designed two master-pieces in the new heart of the capital. Thefirst is the Palace of Peace and Reconcili-ation, a pyramid-shaped compound housinga major conference center, a 1,500-seat

opera house, a national histor-ic museum and a researchcenter. The second is the leis-ure, business and shoppingcenter Khan Shatyr, shapedlike a giant yurt — the tradition-al tent in which Kazakhnomads lived while roamingthe land with their herds. Thebuilding was developed bythe Sembol ConstructionCompany.

The Palace’s pyramid contains sanctuar-ies for Judaism, Islam, Christianity,Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and othercreeds. It also boasts a national museum ofculture, a new ‘‘university of civilization,’’ a li-brary, and an ethnographic and geographicresearch center.

Other buildings worth a visit include thenew Concert Hall, designed by the Italianarchitect Manfredi Nicoletti, winner of an

international competition, which opened itsdoors in late 2009. The building’s flower-petal shape protects against the extremesummer heat and the harsh winter cold ofAstana’s climate. Its main music perfor-mance hall has 3,500 seats and superioracoustics. Two smaller music auditoriums,an indoor movie house and a large lobbycomplete the structure.

Several futuristic-looking sports centershave recently opened in and around Astana.Among the most striking is the new soccerstadium, whose removable ceiling allows itto accommodate both indoor and outdoormatches as well as rock concerts. Anothernew complex opened for the Asian WinterGames held in Kazakhstan in early 2011:the new ice-skating stadium, also built bySembol Construction, where competitions,ice hockey matches and ice shows areheld.

Among other sights is the PresidentialCenter of Culture, with a collection of nearly150,000 items illustrating the past andpresent of the Kazakh people. The museumof the First President of Kazakhstan con-tains an interesting collection of giftspresented to the head of state at various in-ternational meetings.

Another must is the entertainment cen-ter Duman, on the left bank of the Ishim. Itsmost popular attraction is the Oceanariumwhich, while located more than 3,000 kilo-meters (1,864 miles) from the ocean, ishome to some 2,000 animals, representingmore than 100 marine species from aroundthe world.

Astana’s skyline offers such striking edifices as the new blue concert hall designed by Manfredi Nicoletti.

O n Nov. 16, President Nursultan Naz-arbayev signed a decree to holdearly parliamentary elections in Ka-

zakhstan in 2012. As a result, in mid-January, the people of Kazakhstan will votein elections for the Lower House of Parlia-ment, known as Majlis.

‘‘One hundred and seven deputies of theMajilis will be elected in two stages,’’ the gov-ernment said in late November. ‘‘On Jan. 15,political parties will compete for the 98 seatsdecided by a general vote. At the time whenelections were called, there were eight regis-tered political parties eligible to participate.On Jan. 16, nine deputies will be elected bythe Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, anational body established to rep-resent the diverse ethnic groupsacross the country.’’

Transparency and fairness onall levels is at the top of the gov-ernment’s electoral agenda. ‘‘TheMinistry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)invited observers from interna-tional organizations and foreigngovernments through diplomaticchannels, and these are accred-ited by the Central Election Com-mittee (CEC),’’ the government states. ‘‘Do-mestic organizations can also apply forobserver accreditation directly to the CEC,and foreign organizations can apply throughthe MFA. The deadline for the accreditation ofobservers is five days before the election.The recent presidential election was moni-tored by a total of 30,266 foreign and do-mestic observers, with over 1,000 monitorscoming from more than 50 countries. Twenty-five foreign governments sent official observ-ers. Domestic observers included 9,417 can-didates’ representatives, 12,828 observersfrom political parties, 6,290 from public as-sociations and nongovernmental organiza-tions, and 997 representatives of the nation-al media.’’

According to the government, the elec-tions will represent a watershed in Kazakh-stan’s development from a post-Sovietstate in transition to a full-fledged parlia-mentary democracy. ‘‘In 2007, 337 mem-bers of the Assembly of the People of Ka-zakhstan participated in the elections ofdeputies from the Assembly,’’ the govern-ment’s announcement says. ‘‘The parlia-mentary elections are the first to be heldsince a 2009 amendment to the constitu-tional law on elections, which guaranteesseats to the second-place party, even if theydo not reach the 7 percent threshold set forentrance into the Lower House.’’

By choosing the laborious path of politicalevolution over revolutionary shockwaves, Ka-zakhstan has opted for progress under thelaw as the safest way to abide by globaldemocratic requirements. ‘‘The electionswill usher in a new era for Kazakhstan and

represent another step forward in our youngnation’s political development,’’ the officialannouncement continues. ‘‘We are a youngcountry, but have made remarkable econom-ic and political progress in the 20 years sincethe collapse of the Soviet Union. Every elec-tion has represented a step forward for ournation and an improvement in our politicalsystem. With this election, we will strengthendemocratic pluralism. As a result of changesto our Constitution, we are guaranteed tohave a second party in Parliament, whatevertheir share of the vote. We believe that thiswill increase debate and the competition ofideas, which will strengthen our Parliamentand our political system as a whole.’’

The decision to hold elec-tions at this particular stage inKazakhstan’s development isnot only politically driven; toa large extent, the challengesof economic development areimposing themselves aswell. ‘‘Elections of a new,strengthened Parliament willleave us well placed to focus onthe challenges ahead and con-tinue Kazakhstan’s remarkable

development,’’ the government’s documentreads. ‘‘Despite increasing fears of a secondglobal financial crisis, Kazakhstan is deter-mined to press on with its economic andpolitical development. The elections will intro-duce a more diverse Parliament early in theyear, creating a healthier and more robustpolitical system ready to face the challengesahead. Holding the election now will allowstate agencies, the government and Parlia-ment to focus their efforts in 2012 on an-ticrisis measures and maintaining Kazakh-stan’s remarkable economic success.’’

For the government, two decades ofpost-Soviet independence have alreadyproven that Kazakhstan is on the right path.‘‘Kazakhstan has a bold vision for economicand political progress and a track record ofdelivering for its people,’’ the election an-nouncement continues. ‘‘When Kazakhstangained its independence from the Soviet Un-ion and communism 20 years ago, the ur-gent need was for jobs and economic devel-opment. We needed to provide a future forour people. We have done that.

‘‘We will celebrate our 20th anniversaryon Dec. 16 and will, of course, look back withpride on what we have achieved, but wemust also look to the future. We have stud-ied democracies around the world and wehave seen that they work best in nationsthat have a strong and thriving middle classand an educated population. We didn’t havethat in 1991, but we do now, and these elec-tions represent another step forward in ourpolitical development, guaranteeing a morepluralistic political system.’’

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Today, thecity center

could rightlybe called agallery of

contemporaryarchitecture

On Jan. 16,nine deputies

will beelected by the

Assembly of thePeople of

Kazakhstan

Three more attractions in Astana are themausoleum and memorial house of Ka-zakhstan’s historic war hero KabanbayBatyr, the ethnographic and human-sciencecenter Atameken and the home and mu-seum of Kazakhstan’s outstanding writerSaken Seyfullin (killed by order of Stalin inthe purges of the late 1930s).

On the outskirts of the city, the Museumof Modern Art houses various collectionsand temporary exhibitions. The 30-year-oldmuseum’s contemporary art collection hasgrown from 500 to 3,000 items. Originallythe Museum of Fine Arts, it raised its profileat the end of the last century and undertookexpansion.

Each year, the gallery exhibits the latestworks by famous artists and paintingsdonated by Astana collectors. Purchasesfrom the ongoing art exhibitions are madeon a regular basis. Today, the museumpresents unique works by artists from Ar-menia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine,Uzbekistan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia andKazakhstan.

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2,000animals of 100 marinespecies can be found atAstana’s Oceanarium

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