UN Regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Center in Almaty is officially launched with the presence of Tokayev and Guterres

UN Regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Center in Almaty is officially launched with the presence of Tokayev and Guterres

UN Sustainable Development Goals Centre Opens in Kazakhstan

The United Nations (UN) Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been established in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone in Kazakhstan's partnership with the UN and its role in advancing sustainable development across Central Asia and Afghanistan.

The Centre, which was officially opened during a signing ceremony on August 3, is designed to unify and elevate sustainable development initiatives, bolster regional economic and environmental resilience, and coordinate international support for the region.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Kazakhstan, highlighted the agreement signing as not just a local event but a symbol of global support for the Centre. He described it as opening a new chapter for SDG advancement in the region and praised Kazakhstan’s growing global connectivity role.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed sincere gratitude to Guterres and his team for their support of the Centre in Kazakhstan. He emphasized that the opening of the first SDG Centre in Central Asia is a milestone achievement for the entire region.

The Centre is expected to serve as a regional hub that coordinates efforts to promote sustainable development in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Its purpose is to strengthen regional resilience, foster deeper cooperation, and drive coordinated action aimed at making economies more robust, innovative, and sustainable, addressing shared challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, and economic diversification.

Importantly, the Centre also directs attention and support to Afghanistan, helping with humanitarian aid, education, trade, and food security. It aims to enhance regional innovation, promote digitalization and artificial intelligence, and improve infrastructure, making Kazakhstan a Eurasian logistics hub.

The Centre is intended to be a catalyst for regional cooperation and integration, especially in areas like transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, which are crucial for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) like those in Central Asia. It supports international efforts such as the Awaza Program of Action, targeting resilient and inclusive growth.

The Centre will also play a key role in advancing climate action through joint regional initiatives, including a Regional Climate Summit planned in Astana in 2026.

Guterres, during his visit, described Kazakhstan as a symbol of peace, dialogue, and a bridge builder, citing its historic decision to abandon nuclear weapons as a remarkable example to the world. He noted that Kazakhstan has demonstrated through its initiatives that there is hope for dialogue and cooperation among people of different religions and cultures.

The meeting between Tokayev and Guterres discussed the future activities of the Centre, prospects for UN reform, and key issues on the international and regional agenda. The visit of Guterres to Kazakhstan is significant for Kazakhstan and underscores the UN's commitment to sustainable development goals.

In summary, the Centre provides a mechanism to unify and elevate sustainable development initiatives, bolster regional economic and environmental resilience, and coordinate international support for Central Asia and Afghanistan, thus enhancing the overall capacity of the region to meet the UN SDGs.

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals Centre, established in Kazakhstan, is expected to serve as a regional hub for advancing policies and legislation related to sustainable development in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
• The Centre's focus on general news topics such as environmental degradation, climate change, and economic diversification underscores its role in regional politics, aiming to strengthen resilience, foster cooperation, and drive coordinated action.

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