Kazakhstan and Central Asia: Leveraging International Partnerships in an Uncertain World

Kazakhstan’s strategic location between Europe and Asia, combined with the sweeping political and economic reforms, substantial energy, critical minerals, transit, and sustainable agriculture potential, increasing AI and digital profile, makes it a hotspot for international investors and pundits alike.

Meanwhile, amid the shift towards an increasingly multipolar order, Kazakhstan has also been emerging as an important middle power contributing to regional and global governance, stability, inter-faith dialogue, and sustainable development. But bold ambitions and increasing global fragmentation raise big questions:

How will Kazakhstan and the region of Central Asia, as a whole, navigate a world increasingly shaped by great-power rivalry and competing alignments, while sustaining regional cohesion and driving growth and innovation? What new opportunities might global decision-makers and investors uncover as

Kazakhstan develops its strategic sectors and promotes a well-balanced and pragmatic foreign policy?

Kazakhstan's regional Ambassador His Excellency Askar Kuttykadam based in Singapore will be in Wellington on 4 November and is a great opportunity for members, students and guests to learn about a region we don't hear too much about in New Zealand!

Event details

Date: Tuesday 4 November, 12:30-1:30pm

Venue: RHMZ03, Mezzanine Floor, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus

Doors Open: 12:10pm

Event commences: 12:30pm

Event concludes: 1:30pm

Terms and Conditions

-One ticket per person. Each ticket must contain your full first and surname, email address and phone number that matches your ID. This event is for registered members of the NZIIA or non-members who pay the registration fee. We reserve the right to cancel any tickets registered as a NZIIA Member if you are not a 2025 NZIIA member. Walk ups are not allowed- you must be registered in advance.

-In keeping with NZIIA practice, unauthorised recording of this event (either audio or video) is not permitted.

-As a courtesy to others given limited availability of seats please only book if you can definitely attend.

Biography - HE Askar Kuttykadam

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Singapore, Australia and New Zealand

General information, education

1998 - Graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh State National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Career

He began his diplomatic service in 1998 as the Referent (Assistant Attache) at the Europe and America Division of the Department of Bilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 1999 to 2001 – Attache, Third Secretary of the Department of Bilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2001- 2004, he was the Attache, Third Secretary at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Lithuania.

In 2004-2005, he worked as the First Secretary in the Department of Europe and America and the Department of Information and Analytical Work and Forecast Assessments.

In 2005, he was the head of the Department of Information and Analytical Work and Forecast Assessments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2005 to 2007, he was the Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Malaysia, and in 2007-2009 – Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in China.

In 2010-2011, he worked as the Head of Division, Deputy Director of the OSCE Department, in 2011-2012, Deputy Director of the Department of Pan-European Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2012 to 2013 he held the position of Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Canada, in 2014-2015 – Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Malaysia.

From 2016 to 2018, he worked as the Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Policy Analysis and Forecasting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2018-2019 – Counsellor to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Poland.

Prior to his appointment as Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand concurrently, he was Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Policy and International Relations of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Ambassador presented his credentials to the Governor General in Wellington on 8 August 2023.

Askar Kuttykadam has the diplomatic rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the I class.