VLADIMIR BOŽOVIĆ ATTENDS KAZAKHSTAN FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY IN NEW YORK AS SPECIAL GUEST AND SPEAKER

22. Oct 2026.
Ambassador Dr. Vladimir Božović, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York and President of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, attended the ceremonial raising of Kazakhstan’s national flag at historic Bowling Green Park in Manhattan as a special guest of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Božović delivered remarks as a special speaker on behalf of the Society of Foreign Consuls, alongside Mark McGovern, Director of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions (OFM), representatives of the Kazakh business diaspora, and Arthur Piccolo, Chairman of the Bowling Green Association.

In his address, he emphasized the ceremony’s special significance in the year marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. He recalled that on November 25, 1783, following the British evacuation of New York, George Washington led the celebrations marking the city’s liberation, while John Van Arsdale raised the American flag at nearby Fort George.

“Raising Kazakhstan’s flag at this historic location, in this milestone year for American independence, symbolically connects nations and generations united by respect for freedom, sovereignty, and national dignity,” Božović stated.

Addressing Kazakhstan’s international role, he paid tribute to its diplomacy, characterized by wisdom, balance, and open dialogue. He highlighted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s meetings with President Donald Trump at the White House and, shortly afterwards, with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin as an illustration of this approach.

“In this approach, I recognize the pragmatic diplomatic tradition embodied by Henry Kissinger, a legendary figure in American and world diplomacy: keeping channels of communication open, engaging across differences, and seeking common ground. I wish to pay tribute to the pursuit of peace, stability, mutual trust, and economic progress for the benefit of Kazakhstan’s people,” Božović emphasized.

As Consul General of the Republic of Serbia, he also expressed particular satisfaction with the good and friendly relations between Serbia and Kazakhstan.

Concluding his remarks from New York, a global capital of business, he extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Kazakhstan, expressing his wish that their flag would always fly high in peace, unity, and prosperity.