International journalists awarded in Nur-Sultan for their works about Kazakhstan

Six winners - Nikolajus Zukovas from Lithuania, who is editor-in-chief of Respublika, Lithuanian Courier, and the Echo Litvy newspapers, Vladimir Bacisin from Slovakia, who is editor-in-chief of the Finančné Noviny publication, Dr. Mehmood Ul-Hassan Khan from Pakistan, who is a regional expert of the Pakistan Center for Global and Strategic Studies, Tony Ruprecht from Canada, who is former Minister of Emigration and Multiculturalism of Canada, Inga Cernei-Kelner from Canada, who is a commercial producer at BCI Media company and Tsolmon Bat-Erdene from Mongolia, who is a correspondent of the MNB TV channel.

As part of the competition, the jury members reviewed the works of 60 foreign journalists from nearly 40 countries. The works discussed different issues related to Kazakhstan, such as economics, politics, international relations, history, culture, tourism, healthcare, sports, nuclear disarmament, renewable energy sources, as well as the legacy of prominent figures in Kazakh history - Abay Kunanbaiuly and Abu Nasr al-Farabi. Contest entries were published in foreign newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets.

In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Yerlan Alimbayev congratulated the winners and thanked all participants of the contest, noting that year by year their number is growing and the geography of applications is expanding, indicating a growing interest in Kazakhstan from foreign media. 

He said that, while observing the restrictions associated with the coronavirus infection, the ministry has organized a program for the winners, where they will have an opportunity to learn more about Kazakhstan, its development, and achievements over 30 years of independence, and have a chance to feel the hospitality of the people.