RIYADH: The Kazakhstan Embassy in Riyadh celebrated the 27th Independence Day of Kazakhstan on Monday. The republic gained independence from the Soviet Union on Dec. 16, 1991.
Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman was the chief guest on the occasion. Senior Saudi officials, diplomats and other dignitaries attended the celebrations.
Ambassador Bakyt Batyrshayev spoke about the fast-growing ties between Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan. He said: “Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners and they have many common features and interests. We are proud of our strong, enduring partnership and pledge to continue our work to strengthen it.”
An art exhibition was also held at the embassy on the sidelines of the celebration. The two-day event showcased the work of renowned artist Ahmed Al-Salama.
The Kazakh ambassador said: “Kazakhstan has become a modern country with a successful economy, which is now among the top 50 in the world. Our strategic goal is to join the 30 developed countries of the world by 2050.”
He also highlighted the role his country is playing in the world of diplomacy.
“Kazakhstan has become the place of summits for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), EXPO 2017, Asian Olympic Games, Syrian negotiations and many other important meetings,” he added.
The diplomat said Kazakhstan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-18.
“During its term Kazakhstan focused on issues such as nuclear disarmament, preventing military confrontations at the regional and global levels, counterterrorism and supporting sustainable peace,” he said. He also referred to the deployment of peacekeepers by Kazakhstan as part of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon.
Highlighting the economic achievements of his country, the envoy said: “Over the past 20 years, Kazakhstan has raised direct foreign investments worth $300 billion, and now we rank 36th among 190 countries in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of doing business index.’”
He described his country as an economic and political bridge between East and West.
“Kazakhstan will always be a friend and partner to all countries especially Saudi Arabia,” said the envoy.
DiplomaticQuarter: Astana highlights ties with Riyadh
DiplomaticQuarter: Astana highlights ties with Riyadh
- Kazakhstan plays an important role in the Islamic world through its membership of the OIC and the development of the Islamic Organization for Food Security within the OIC
Saudi Post issues commemorative stamp to mark Al-Faw’s UNESCO recognition
RIYADH: Saudi Post has issued a SR3 ($0.79) commemorative stamp to celebrate the registration of Al-Faw Archaeological Area on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it the eighth Saudi site on this prestigious list.
Located south of Riyadh at the junction of a vast plain and the Tuwaiq mountain range, Al-Faw is strategically positioned along ancient trade routes connecting the southern Arabian Peninsula to its center and east.
The area in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, at the intersection of the Empty Quarter desert and the Tuwaiq mountain range, is home to almost 12,000 archaeological remains and has a history of human habitation stretching back more than 6,000 years.
The site features a landscape shaped over millennia by human interaction with the environment and which was abandoned in the 5th century AD owing to depleted water sources.
The commemorative stamps issued honor significant national and international events, highlighting key chapters of Saudi history making them collectible for philatelists, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
UNESCO, while recognizing the site last year, has said the site was a strategic point on the ancient trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula, but was abruptly abandoned around the fifth century.
Archaeological remains uncovered at the site range from prehistoric times to the late pre-Islamic era, testifying to successive occupations by three different populations.
Features include paleolithic and neolithic tools, tapered structures, cairns and circular constructions, the sacred mountain of Khashm Qaryah, rock carvings, funeral cairns, an ancient water management system, and remains of the city of Qaryat Al-Faw.
Other Saudi sites on the UNESCO Heritage List are Al-Hijr (2008), At-Turaif in Diriyah (2010), Historic Jeddah (2014), rock art in the Hail Region (2015), Al-Ahsa Oasis (2018), Hima Cultural Area (2021), and Uruq Bani Maarid protected area (2023).
