Kazakhstan Peace Talks
The Committee of the Wise – Kazakhstan, 2015
In 2015, CPFA launched a “Committee of the Wise” to address pressing issues of international peace and conflict resolution. The committee included several Nobel Peace Prize Laureates such as Shimon Peres, former President of Israel; Mohamed El Baradei, former Vice-President of Egypt and Director General of the IAEA; Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland; Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Guatemalan human rights activist; and Rajendra Pachauri, former chair of the IPCC. Alongside them were eminent political leaders including César Gaviria, former President of Colombia, and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister of Spain.
Day One – Luncheon with the Defence Minister
The first day opened with a luncheon under the aegis of Kazakh Defence Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov, bringing together all members of the Committee of the Wise. This initial gathering set the stage for deeper discussions, enabling participants to exchange perspectives in an informal yet significant setting.
Day One – Meeting with Senate Chairman Tokayev
Later in the day, the participants were received by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, then Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, in his official office. The meeting provided an opportunity to emphasise Kazakhstan’s commitment to fostering dialogue and highlighted Tokayev’s personal engagement in supporting initiatives for peace.
Day One – Evening Meeting with Kazakh Elite
In the evening, Tokayev hosted a larger meeting that brought together the Kazakh elite and all committee participants. The session featured a series of speeches focused on peace, with Shimon Peres and Randa Kassis addressing the audience on the urgent need for stability and dialogue in the Middle East, underlining the Syrian conflict as a central challenge for the region.
Day Two – Luncheon with President Nazarbayev
The following day, a luncheon at the Presidential Palace was held under the auspices of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. In his remarks, Nazarbayev stressed the importance of international peace and reconciliation. On this occasion, Randa Kassis highlighted the significance of Kazakhstan providing a neutral platform for dialogue on Syria, noting that Astana could serve as a vital space to bridge divisions and advance peace initiatives.
