Astana and Nusantara: First year as sister cities

Kazakhstan and Indonesia are set to jointly implement 15 projects in urban planning, transportation, green energy, education, and culture under a memorandum of understanding signed between the authorities of the capitals of the two countries, Astana and Nusantara. Notably, the sister cities are already working on several projects, including the installation of surveillance cameras by local specialists in Indonesia’s new capital. Overall, the agreement aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and foster friendly relations between the cities. Representatives of the parties announced this at an event in Astana dedicated to the anniversary of the sister city relationship between the two capitals.

«Our plan for the future: we have to implement all of the collaboration that we have signed in the memorandum of understanding. So, we have to learn— Indonesia has to learn from Astana as the newest capital city in the world, and Indonesia, with Nusantara becoming the newest capital city after Astana. So, we have to learn many things from Kazakhstan,» said Mochamad Fadjroel Rachman, Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan.

«Additionally, there are plans for student exchanges in the field of education. We are also interested in Nusantara, as it is being built right in the middle of the jungle. It would be interesting to exchange experiences and implement joint projects in landscaping, greening, urban planning, and possibly utilities management,» said Zhanara Nugumanova, Head of the International Cooperation Department at the Astana Mayor’s Office.