20.05.2026

“Consular Hour” with the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium

On May 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the Faculty of International Relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted a “Consular Hour” event featuring Mr. Denis Van den Weghe, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Board of the Republican Public Association “Society of Honorary Consuls.”

The Society is a member of the World Federation of Consuls “FICAC,” headquartered in Brussels. The World Federation of Consuls “FICAC” was established in October 1982 in Copenhagen and today includes more than 100 member associations, uniting honorary consuls from all over the world.

The event became an important academic and practice-oriented platform for interaction between students, faculty members, and representatives of the consular and diplomatic corps.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks by the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Zhuldyz Sairambayeva, who thanked Mr. Denis Van den Weghe for his visit, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the faculty and representatives of the international diplomatic community, and expressed interest in further collaboration.

In his speech, Mr. Denis Van den Weghe spoke about the history and activities of the Republican Public Association “Society of Honorary Consuls,” the role of the World Federation of Consuls FICAC, as well as his own professional activities. Particular attention was given to the book Contemporary Diplomatic and Consular Relations, whose significance for future diplomats, consuls, researchers, and specialists in the field of international relations was especially highlighted. Mr. Denis Van den Weghe donated a copy of Contemporary Diplomatic and Consular Relations to the faculty library and also shared a link through which students could download the book for personal use.

Following the presentation, an active question-and-answer session took place, during which students and faculty members discussed a wide range of topics with the guest — from the practical activities of honorary consuls and the specific features of consular service to the prospects for the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Belgium. The discussion was held in an open and engaging atmosphere, allowing participants to gain valuable practical insight into contemporary diplomacy and international relations.

At the conclusion of the event, as a token of appreciation for the visit and the informative meeting, Dean Zhuldyz Sairambayeva, on behalf of the faculty, presented Mr. Denis Van den Weghe with a book about Nazir Torekulov — an outstanding Kazakh diplomat, statesman, and one of the first representatives of Kazakh diplomacy on the international stage.

The event concluded with a group photograph of the participants and guests.

The organization of this event will contribute to strengthening the ties between the Faculty of International Relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the diplomatic community, increasing students’ interest in consular and diplomatic activities, and enhancing the training of specialists in the field of international relations.