Russian Leader Toqaev Launches Major Investigation - Expert on UN Leader's Visit to Kazakhstan by Russian Authorities
Kazakhstan Takes the Lead in Sustainable Development and Regional Cooperation
Kazakhstan, under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has been entrusted with a significant mission by 152 countries to establish a UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Kazakhstan. This Centre, opened in Almaty, will focus on Central Asian and Afghan countries, serving as a regional hub that catalyzes coordinated action to advance sustainable development across the region.
The Centre's role in Kazakhstan's foreign policy strategy is substantial. It positions Kazakhstan as a key regional leader and promoter of international cooperation on SDGs, highlighting Kazakhstan’s commitment to multilateralism, diplomacy, and active engagement with the United Nations. Hosting the Centre enhances Kazakhstan’s global profile and influence as a bridge between East and West, supporting regional integration and stability.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is on his third visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Tokayev. During his visit, Guterres described Kazakhstan as a "symbol of peace and dialogue" and an "honest broker", acknowledging Astana's role as a negotiation platform for resolving conflicts.
Tokayev's discussion at the forum is expected to revolve around "big water" and creating a "Great Central Asian Oasis" through effective water usage systems in transboundary river basins. Tokayev has an ambitious goal to create a water-energy consortium of Central Asian countries, and last year, he presented key approaches to solving water issues at a special summit in Saudi Arabia. Kazakhstan's sustainable development is heavily dependent on water security.
In addition to the Centre, Kazakhstan will host a Regional Environmental Summit in 2026 under the auspices of the UN, focusing on addressing drought and water scarcity issues in Central Asia. This summit is linked with the Centre and further cements Kazakhstan’s leadership in the sustainability agenda in the region.
The Centre will coordinate key processes in Central Asia and Afghanistan, including managing migration flows, integrating countries into regional trade networks, and creating new jobs. It is expected to complement existing regional institutions rather than overlap, adding unique value by focusing on the specific needs of Central Asia and Afghanistan.
President Tokayev has proposed to establish a Central Asian Countries Project Office in Almaty to host the climate summit. He has also offered to host and facilitate a peace mission to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. These initiatives demonstrate Kazakhstan's proactive stance on addressing shared regional challenges and its commitment to peace and cooperation.
The attention of the UN Secretary-General to Kazakhstan is a testament to the recognition of Kazakhstan's leadership in strengthening peace and cooperation in the Central Asian macroregion, which includes Afghanistan. The Centre is a significant project that may not resonate with ordinary Kazakhstanis or Russians, but is considered a matter of "big politics".
[1] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/regional-centres/central-asia-and-afghanistan/ [2] https://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67993 [3] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2021-09-09/statement-secretary-general-united-nations-general-assembly-76th-session [4] https://www.kazpravda.kz/ru/news/politics/view/2021-09-13/142981258
- Kazakhstan's UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) falls under the country's policy-and-legislation and politics, as it positions Kazakhstan as a leader in policy-making related to regional cooperation and sustainable development.
- The Centre's role in boosting Kazakhstan's global profile and influence, and its involvement in addressing regional challenges, makes it a crucial part of the general-news narrative regarding the country's commitment to diplomacy, multilateralism, and peace-keeping efforts.
