Kazakhstan’s progress in the Islamic world
by
SİNAN OĞAN*

To date the OIC has reconsidered the format of its activity, taking into account the fact of the presidency’s transfer to one of the Central Asian countries, which are regarded as stable, successful and promising in terms economic and political development. The OIC is gradually adapting to new realities, threats and challenges that the Islamic world is facing, and it is a hopeful sign, too. A reminder: The OIC, established in 1969, is aimed at Islamic solidarity in social, economic and political areas; fighting colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism and providing support to Palestine. The Islamic world should react to the challenges creating a new paradigm of safety, resting on principles of openness, mutual respect, understanding and tolerance. According to Kazakhstan’s foreign minister, Kanat Saudabayev, it’s high time to establish full-scale inter-institutional collaboration between the OIC and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The topical issues of security and confidence-building measures were also a focus of discussions at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia’s (CICA) third summit in June, held in İstanbul -- CICA was formed due to Kazakhstan’s initiative, by the way.

The OIC CFM noted the decisive role of the OSCE chair-in-office in the settlement of the recent crisis in Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan is also sufficiently involved in the stabilization process in Afghanistan, both in a bilateral plan and as OSCE chair-in-office. All of the above once again confirms the increasing role of this country in the world community, according to analysts. Many specialists are sure that Kazakhstan’s experience in the development of peaceful relations will be useful both for Islamic and Christian countries. In European states (including Russia) the Muslim population is steadily growing, that’s why decreasing interethnic tensions will for a long time remain among the essential issues on the political agenda of states.

Taking into consideration the principle of Islamic solidarity, Kazakhstan’s membership in this organization creates a good opportunity to put Kazakhstan’s political initiatives into practice.

At large the chairmanship or leadership in secretariats of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), CICA, the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the OSCE and the OIC are illustrative examples of Kazakhstan’s growing authority and significance; it creates prerequisites for the formation of a new external political paradigm. In total, the fruitful activity in these structures and promotion of Kazakhstan’s initiatives has become a fundamental element of the country’s gradual internal development.

In 2011 Kazakhstan will assume office in the OIC CFM and Astana will host the CICA summit. And the 7th World Islamic Economic Forum in Kazakhstan is to expand the spectrum of economic relations with Islamic countries alongside Kazakhstan’s presidency of the OIC CFM in 2011. This chairmanship and active sharing in OIC work provides Kazakhstan with another opportunity to influence the world agenda and settle international conflicts, to advance national interests, to gain invaluable experience and to train qualified employees in the school of multilateral diplomacy. The OIC also assists the state-participants in finding solutions to ecological problems. Notably, Kazakhstan, for the first time, was supported in finding solutions to the ecological challenges facing the regions surrounding Semey and Aral.

First of all, the OIC member-states regard this authoritative organization, the CFM, as a supreme body able to revive the OIC as an efficient forum of the Muslim world on principles of the Islamic religion’s identification with peace and progress. Speaking on mechanisms and procedures in the structure, it should be noted that the common politics of Islamic countries are determined at the summit of state leaders and governmental chairs held once every three years and at the CFM. Decisions are adopted on principles of Islamic solidarity and consensus.

The OIC is a modern structure with a vast, untapped potential and communicates in five languages, the primary one being English. Its general secretariat and departments are working to meet international standards, widely applying new technologies, advanced management and IT decisions.

The OIC’s political weight is determined by the fact that over two thirds of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves are concentrated in the subsoil of Muslim countries. Following the rising prices of petroleum, the ruling elites of these countries actively use their leverage over the international economy to work for an equitable distribution of the world’s wealth.