Jakarta – The Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, Bambang Susantono, together with the Governor of the Capital City of Astana, Zhenis Kassymbek, have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Nusantara Capital Authority and the Office of the Governor of the Capital City of Astana on the initiative of the National Capital.
The signing was held at the Office of the Governor of the Capital City of Astana, Kazakhstan, witnessed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Kazakhstan, M. Fadjroel Rachman.
Prior to the signing, the Head of the Authority and the Delegation had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of Astana who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Astana and the delegation.
The two Heads of Capitals have discussed and exchanged views on the experience of building national capitals. Kassymbek shared the experiences, good practices and challenges of developing Astana, which has been the new capital of Kazakhstan for 25 years, since moving from the city of Almaty in 1998.
Meanwhile, Bambang Susantono has explained the vision and development of Indonesia’s future capital city, which is set to be the world’s first forest capital with the concept of smart, modern, green and sustainable (Sustainable Forest City).
Bambang underlined that Astana is the first city that binds the cooperation relationship between the capital city and the archipelago.
The signing of the MoU on cooperation between the capital city of Kazakhstan and the capital city of Indonesia is symbolic, emphasizing the increasingly close bilateral relations between the two countries in the year of celebrating the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2023.
“We are grateful to Allah SWT because the special task from President Joko Widodo for the Indonesian Embassy in Astana to oversee the transfer of the capital city from Jakarta to the archipelago can be carried out as well as possible. Starting from facilitating the Special Committee Team for Drafting the National Capital City Law of the House of Representatives together with the Bappenas Team in January 2022 to today (Monday, July 3, 2023) facilitating the presence of the Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority Bambang Susantono to sign the first Sister City between the Nusantara Capital City and the Capital City of Astana,” said Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Fadjroel Rahman, through his written statement, Monday (3/7/2023).
The MoU will present a mutually beneficial cooperation in which Astana can share its success and experience in building the capital city, and on the other hand the archipelago, in its development, can share best practices related to sustainable forest city development. The cooperation between the two capitals covers various fields such as economy, energy, transportation, city management and culture.
“Thanks to President Joko Widodo for this honorable assignment for the advancement of Kazakhstan – Indonesia diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta who provided direction, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan who always supported, the leadership and all staff of the Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) and the Indonesian Embassy in Astana who worked tirelessly, as well as the Governor of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek and Akimat Astana who were very active and worked effectively until the Sister City Nusantara – Astana was realized. This is the most beautiful gift of 30 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kazakhstan and my assignment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan,” said the former President Jokowi’s spokesman.
Prior to the signing of the MoU, Bambang Susantono and his delegation had the opportunity to visit Astana’s traffic monitoring center, city security, and the Astana City Planning Center. Bambang received a detailed explanation and discussed the historical background and stages of Astana city development from Mr. Chikanayev Amanzhol, a senior urban design expert who was involved in the initial construction of the capital city of Astana.
The Head of the Nusantara Authority carried out a working visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, to become the keynote speaker at the Nusantara Investment Forum for Kazakhstan businesses and potential investors with the theme “Investing in Indonesia’s Future Capital: Smart and Sustainable Forest City Nusantara” organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Astana on Tuesday (4/7/2023).
Bambang will also be the guest of honor and speaker at the International Forum of World Governors and Mayors to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the capital city of Astana, Kazakhstan. The opening of the Forum will be chaired by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on Wednesday (5/7/2023).
