[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E19]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    KAZAKHSTAN'S CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2018

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, today I call on my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan 
Nazarbayev, to the United States and Kazakhstan's assumption of the 
rotating presidency of the UN Security Council.
  Over the past 26 years, Kazakhstan and the United States have built a 
strategic partnership based on mutual trust and friendship. 
Additionally, Kazakhstan has been and remains a vital partner in the 
fight against violent Islamic extremists--which is a threat to both of 
our countries--and Astana is an advocate of religious freedom and 
tolerance.
  Since declaring its independence from the former Soviet Union in 
1991, Kazakhstan has built a market-oriented economy continuing to be a 
valued partner of the United States. I congratulate the people of 
Kazakhstan on that achievement.
  Despite its vast mineral wealth, Kazakhstan is committed to 
diversifying its economy, in line with the Strategy-2050, its national 
vision for future development. The strategy calls for widespread 
economic, social and political reforms with the goal of positioning 
Kazakhstan as one of the top 30 global economies by 2050.
  Since its independence, Kazakhstan has attracted $260 billion in 
foreign direct investment, with another $100 billion forecast for the 
next decade. The United States is a large contributor, with foreign 
direct investment worth billions of US dollars entering the Kazakh 
economy. This makes the US one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan.
  Kazakhstan hosted an EXPO in 2017 with a theme of ``Future Energy,'' 
which showcased successful US-Kazakhstan collaboration. Kazakhstan 
seeks to become a leader in promoting renewable energy.
  Kazakhstan remains a reliable and trusted partner in the region, and 
I look forward to our work together to improve human rights, economic 
freedom and security inside Kazakhstan and across the region.

                          ____________________