United Nations in Kazakhstan

The UN system in Kazakhstan stands firmly in support of the country’s aspiration to join the ranks of the 30 most developed countries of the world by achieving the OECD standards. We remain convinced that the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs are an excellent instrument that can help Kazakhstan to effectively achieve its development aspirations as articulated in Strategy 2050 and the subsequent reform agenda.

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Press Release

06 June 2021

Media Contest: Change for Climate in Kazakhstan

The contest starts on World Environment Day (5 June) and the winners will be announced on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (7 September). How is climate change affecting Kazakhstan, and what does it mean for our health, economy, food supply and all the nature we live with? What opportunities exist for adapting to climate change in Kazakhstan, or for mitigating it in the first place? Our challenge to you is to write articles that make climate change the topic of conversation at breakfast and dinner tables across Kazakhstan and inspire the way for solutions. Climate action is essential for building the world we all want after COVID-19. We must urgently get on track to bring the global temperature rise down to 1.5-degrees, in line with the Paris Agreement. The United Nations Secretary General has described climate change as the greatest challenge of our time. Partly due to intensive urban development, the temperature of surface soil in Nur-Sultan can reach a stifling 65–70°C in the summer. Climate change means that temperatures in the capital are only likely to increase. In response, the city plans for over half of its land area to flourish with green cover by 2030. The green spaces will cool and clean the air, capture carbon dioxide, be a home to wildlife and boost citizen’s mental health, in a win-win for people and the environment. Contest rules: Journalists and bloggers are invited to submit an article of 800 words max published in online or print media. The article should be aimed at raising awareness on the threat posed by climate change to Kazakhstan, the possible solutions in terms of climate mitigation or adaptation, or both. The article should be a factual piece of writing published on a print and/or online media outlet, newsletter, website or blog. The article should be written in Kazakh, Russian, or English languages. Apart from the article file, application should include DOC or PDF document per writing piece with the complete name of the author, his or her nationality, the city where they reside in Kazakhstan, his/her position at the media outlet or blog, a link to the published article online, and a brief description (not more than 100 words) of what inspired them to write the entry (see the Annex). The document should also include the names of the people who collaborated in the production of the article (photographer, co-author, researcher, etc.). If the article is selected, as already mentioned, only the main writer will receive the prize, and it will be for him or her to decide if and how the award voucher will be divided between the members of the team. Entries must be submitted in PDF or DOC format to contest@changepr.kz Applications will be accepted from World Environment Day (5 June) until midnight CET on 31 July 2021. For extra inquiries contact number: +7 727 272 05 09; cell: +7 707 638 97 74. Participants should meet the following criteria: Citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan Age: at least 18 years old A panel composed of UN staff members and UN partners will judge articles according to: The creativity involved and originality of the angle taken to tell the story. The level of research that has gone into the article. The extent to which the article could inspire other state officials/businesses/other organisations/individuals to take climate action. The winner will receive a voucher for electronic equipment worth 2500 USD and win a trip to the COP26 Summit in Glasgow in November 2021 (based on quarantine measures and restrictions). The second runner-up will receive a voucher worth 1300 USD and third runner-up will receive a voucher worth 800 USD. Authors of 10 best articles will receive certificates from the UN in Kazakhstan. An eligible entrant must be an individual. Entrants must be the authors and copyright owners of the writing submitted in their name. The writing should be an original piece of work and not a translation or adaptation of another writer’s work. Each candidate can submit as many entries as they wish. Authors are encouraged to include photos with their articles, and must ensure they have the rights to use the photos. Article authors can decide to share part of their prize voucher with other colleagues involved in the production of the article (research, photography, etc.). UN will grant only one voucher per winning article, regardless of how many people were involved in its creation. The authors of all the submitted articles will withhold the rights to their work. By submitting their articles, authors grant UN the right to use them for non-commercial purposes, always crediting the authors and media outlets. Any commercial use will require the agreement of the author and media outlet. Authors based in other countries may participate as well, but are not eligible for the prizes, nor the mentioned certificates. UN staff members, consultants and interns may take part but are not eligible for the prizes. Any writer who is not eligible for the prize but whose article is selected by the jury, would still receive a UN certificate. By submitting the application, the applicant guarantees that he/she has all necessary rights to the submitted material, that these rights are not pledged or under arrest, and that he/she does not violate the rights of third parties by his/her actions in relation to the submitted material. Works must not contain advertising materials. Submitted materials will not be reviewed or returned. Works containing elements prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, defamation, statements and actions of an offensive nature, humiliating human dignity, inciting political, religious, national hatred, etc. are not allowed for participation. The UN Resident Coordinator Office, UN Development Program and UN Environment Program in Kazakhstan will publish the winning article on UN, UNDP websites and may showcase a selection of submitted articles on its social media channels and on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies as of 7 September.

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Press Release

02 July 2021

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a video statement at the Generation Equality Forum

H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underlined the importance of ending gender-based violence and enhancing social and legal support for women and children. He highlighted the role of Kazakhstan in accelerating gender equality in the regional dimension. The Generation Equality Forum is a landmark event to accelerate progress on gender equality, launching a series of concrete, ambitious and transformative actions to achieve immediate and irreversible progress towards gender equality. Convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, in partnership with youth and civil society, the Forum brought together governments, feminist leaders, youth and change makers from every sector, to announce trailblazing gender equality investments, programmes and policies. It marked the beginning of a five-year action journey led by six Action Coalitions and a Compact on Women, Peace and Security, and Humanitarian Action. H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan: “Over the 30 years of Independence, Kazakhstan was implementing progressive women-oriented policies. We have established a robust legal framework topped by the Concept of Family and Gender Policy until 2030. Last month, I signed a Decree on Further Human Rights Measures, with gender equality as one of its major focus areas. Kazakhstan also promotes gender issues as a foreign policy priority in the regional dimension”. The full video of the statement can be found on the website of Akorda here. Many participants from Kazakhstan are registered in the Forum, including civil society organization as FemAgora, which has also committed in the Action Coalitions and will be working on the agenda of gender equality in the Central Asian region. Alia El-Yassir, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia: “This is a great opportunity for Kazakhstan to showcase its good practices in promoting gender equality at the global level, announce specific commitments and forge new partnerships. I would especially like to thank the civil society activists for their contributions to the Forum. Together we can build an equal future for everyone and ensure that the human rights of all women and girls are protected”. The Forum comes at a critical moment to reverse rising gender inequality caused by COVID-19. Even before COVID-19, almost one in three women worldwide experienced abuse; during the pandemic, calls to helplines increased five-fold in some countries. At the current rate of progress, it will take another 130 years to reach gender equality at the highest positions of power. The Generation Equality Forum offers a critical opportunity to confront this rising crisis, as well as the enduring structural inequalities that preceded it. Didier Canesse, French Ambassador to Kazakhstan: “France has brought together governments, international organizations, civil society representatives, youth, the private sector and activists from around the world to make together a set of concrete, ambitious and long-term commitments. This enduring movement for action and accountability will fuel a significant and lasting coalition for gender equality, offering a vital moment to achieve transformative change for generations to come”. For more information please contact: Balnura Kuralova, UN Women Communications Analyst, balnura.kuralova@unwomen.org, +7 701 910 08 08

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Story

21 September 2022

Shadow of statelessness lifting in Kazakhstan

On a frosty morning in late 2021, Roza Nurymova* walked her nine-year-old daughter Marzhan to school through a neighbourhood of mostly vacant industrial buildings on the outskirts of Shymkent, near Kazakhstan’s border with Uzbekistan. Her two-year-old son Azat tottered alongside her, while her two older children waited for her to return to the family’s two-room home. At the time, Roza was an undocumented stateless person. An ethnic Kazakh who was born in Uzbekistan, Roza moved to Kazakhstan in 2011 in search of work and ended up marrying and settling there. Like thousands of ethnic Kazakhs who returned to their historical homeland in the years following Kazakhstan’s independence, Roza sought to obtain legal ‘Kandas’ – ethnic Kazakh – status. She renounced her Uzbek citizenship, believing that this was a necessary step to apply. Roza was left with neither nationality, trapped in the position of losing her Uzbek citizenship before obtaining a new one, becoming an undocumented stateless person. Roza’s and other similar cases are linked to gaps and lack of safeguards in nationality laws, coupled with limited legal awareness among communities. Statelessness in Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, there are both undocumented and documented stateless people. Documented stateless people have a certificate from the government enabling them to stay in Kazakhstan, and access work, public services and healthcare. Undocumented stateless persons, of whom Roza was one, are among most vulnerable groups as they have no legal status and do not have access to most socio-economic rights – it is like they do not exist. There are nearly 7,600 people in Kazakhstan reported to be stateless or at risk of statelessness. The actual number may be higher, since undocumented stateless people are invisible to authorities. A life of legal limbo Life as an undocumented stateless person brought a life of legal limbo for Roza and her children. Without a legal identity, she was unable to register their births, leaving them without a nationality too. She was also unable to officially register her marriage to her husband, a Turkish national. The family’s unpredictable and meager income came from the odd jobs that Roza and her husband struggled to find. Marzhan loved school and was among the top students in her class, but at that time lacked the identity documents needed to be formally enrolled. The school had no record of her accomplishments. Dropping off Marzhan at the school gates that day, Roza watched from a distance with a mix of pride and anxiety. “There is no evidence that she is a student in the school system. It’s as if she does not exist,” she said bitterly. Statelessness limited the family in other ways too. Even for the most urgent medical care, doctors asked to see a birth certificate. Traveling across a border or benefiting from government support to low-income families were also out of the question. Her lack of documentation providing her identity took a toll on Roza’s self-esteem. “Sometimes when people get to know that I don’t have documents, they treat me like I am flawed,” she said. “They think they can insult me.” Six months on, the situation has changed significantly for Roza and her family. Lifting the shadow of statelessness With support from Sana Sezim, a civil society partner of UNHCR, Roza applied for birth certificates for all her children in the hope of saving them from the life of hardships she had known. Sana Sezim also initiated a process for Roza to receive identity documents for herself, a first step towards gaining a nationality. Roza has benefited from steps taken in recent years by Kazakhstan to put citizenship within reach for stateless families, particularly children. Since the launch of UNHCR’s #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness in 2014, the country has granted citizenship to over 9,000 stateless people. In addition, changes to Kazakhstan’s Marriage and Family Code in 2019 entitle all children born in the country to be registered at birth and issued birth certificates, no matter what legal status their parents hold. The law is retroactive, making it possible for Roza’s children to benefit. In 2020, the Migration Services Committee of the Ministry of Interior launched a 20-month country-wide statelessness identification and documentation campaign. Nearly 9,000 undocumented stateless people were identified through the campaign, of whom 4,800 confirmed their citizenship of Kazakhstan and around 2,700 obtained legal stateless status. Kazakhstan’s efforts towards ending statelessness have opened up a new world for Roza and her family. By August 2022, she had received birth certificates for all her children. She had also received identity documents recognizing her as a stateless person under Kazakh law, enabling her to access medical services, open her own bank account, and apply for Kandas status. “I was in shock,” she said, recalling that moment. “I realized that finally I have documents… Now I am a full-fledged person, I can speak up. I can defend myself and live without fear for myself and my children.” *Name changed at subject’s request

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09 September 2021

The UN Office in Kazakhstan Held a Round Table Dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the Semipalatinsk Test Site Closure

On September 8, 2021, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and 15th anniversary of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (CANWFZ) treaty the UN in Kazakhstan held the online roundtable entitled «30th anniversary of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site closure: impact on global development, peace and security». The event was attended by UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Storey, Founder of the Nevada-Semipalatinsk anti-nuclear movement Olzhas Suleimenov, Ambassador-at-Large, First Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN, Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Akmaral Arystanbekova, Director of the International Security Department, MFA of Kazakhstan Kairat Sarzhanov, CICA Executive Director Kairat Sarybay, CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Beatrice Fihn, Representative of UN Women in Kazakhstan Maria Dotsenko, diplomatic corps, youth representatives and public figures. In her welcoming speech, UN Resident Coordinator Michaela Friberg-Storey noted: "Nuclear tests caused enormous human suffering and environmental damage. Ecosystems were destroyed, which will take decades, if not centuries, to heal. This commemoration is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to outlaw all nuclear tests. There is no excuse to delay achieving this goal". Director of the International Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kairat Sarzhanov noted the great political significance of the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site at the dawn of independence and highlighted a number of subsequent initiatives of Kazakhstan aimed at promoting peace and security on a regional and global scale. Great interest of the event participants was aroused by the speech of the statesman and public figure, diplomat Olzhas Suleimenov, who spoke about the history of the creation of the world's first anti-nuclear movement "Nevada-Semipalatinsk". The sad periods in the history of Kazakhstan clearly illustrate that nuclear weapons and the consequences of their testing are incompatible with the prosperous and secure future of all mankind. In the speech of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Akmaral Arystanbekova, it was emphasized that the historical contribution of Kazakhstan, which closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site by the Decree of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev, the subsequent accession to the NPT as a non-nuclear state and the voluntary renunciation of the inherited weapons, commanded deserved respect and trust in new independent Kazakhstan in the world community, which she witnessed over the years as the first Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN. Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Kairat Sarybay noted that the CICA forum, initiated by the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, attaches great importance to global nuclear disarmament and strengthening security in the CICA area of responsibility. In the Almaty Act of 2002, the leaders of the countries participating in the Conference recognized that disarmament and arms control, the universality of all international treaties related to the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, and the promotion of non-proliferation are important for building confidence among the states of the region. The participants of the event noted that Kazakhstan has demonstrated its political responsibility to the world community and a model of partnership with the leading nuclear powers based on mutual trust. Dr. Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, and Beatrice Fihn, the Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (an organization that received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for efforts to achieve a legislative ban on such weapons), also addressed the participants with video messages. Within the framework of the round table, special video dedicated to the tragic pages of the history of Kazakhstan - the consequences of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site was presented. Full video recording of the event available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m47mGuoPYc&t=1s

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07 June 2021

UN in Kazakhstan launches media contest “Change for Climate in Kazakhstan”

The contest aims to raise awareness about climate change in order to put the topic on the public agenda, inspire and encourage people to find climate solutions. The UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 promotes the achievement of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, including the eradication of poverty, hunger and aims to invest in initiatives to restore many hundreds of thousands ecosystems around the world, political support and technical capacity in both the public and private sectors. The climate emergency facing humanity today requires adequate and immediate action. In particular, there is an urgent need to bring the global temperature increase down to 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Efforts to combat climate change by countries, companies or citizens can benefit not only our planet, but also human health and well-being. Journalists and bloggers are invited to participate by submitting an article of up to 800 words in the print and online media of Kazakhstan that will raise awareness of the threat posed by climate change to Kazakhstan and suggest possible solutions to mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change. UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Storey noted: "Science tells us these next 10 years could be our final chance to avert a climate catastrophe, turn back the deadly tide of pollution and end species loss. With this contest we want to motivate people to find new, out-of-the-box solutions to restore ecosystems and raise environmental awareness." The first, second and third place winners will receive valuable prizes worth USD 2,500, USD 1,300 and USD 800, respectively. The first place winner will have the opportunity to attend COP 26 in Glasgow in November 2021 if the COVID-19 pandemic situation allows physical participation. Also according to the results of the competition, the authors of the best 10 articles will receive certificates on behalf of the UN in Kazakhstan. "For many years, the United Nations Development Programme has been a key partner of the Government of Kazakhstan in the issues of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Since 2004, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan, UNDP has implemented 10 large-scale biodiversity conservation initiatives, helping to protect unique nature and globally significant ecosystems of the country," said Yakup Beris, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. Despite a temporary reduction in emissions due to the pandemic, this century the Earth is approaching a global warming of at least 3°C, more than 1 million of 8 million plant and animal species are threatened with complete extinction, and pollution-induced diseases have caused some 9 million premature deaths annually. "The UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration will succeed if people unite as communities, as nations, and as a global movement. Each of us has a role to play, from politicians giving political impetus to change, scientists developing scientific solutions, business community transforming into green production, and youth and civil society, whose voice must be heard more loudly in the call to change the way we think about and value nature," stressed Aidai Kurmanova, Head of UNEP's Subregional Office for Central Asia. 2021 is particularly important in view of the upcoming meetings of the climate and biodiversity conventions, where governments must set mutually reinforcing and ambitious targets to protect the planet by almost double decreasing greenhouse gas emissions this decade, as well as through biodiversity conservation and restoration. Details of the contest rules available at: https://kazakhstan.un.org/en/130263-media-contest-change-climate-kazakhstan Full video from the press-briefing. Entries must be submitted in PDF or DOC format to contest@changepr.kz Applications will be accepted from World Environment Day (5 June) until midnight CET on 31 July 2021. For extra inquiries contact number: +7 727 272 05 09; cell: +7 707 638 97 74. For more details please contact: Press Officer of the UN in Kazakhstan Ms Elnara Bainazarova, tel: +7 701 9400086, e-mail: elnara.bainazarova@un.org.

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05 May 2021

EU-UN Spotlight Initiative allocated 15 Small Grants to Central Asian NGOs

15 representatives of grant recipient organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan presented their activities and upcoming events. The total grant budget is over USD 409,000. The grants are intended to finance a limited range of eligible activities to support the development and strengthening of a CSO’s institutional capacity, with a focus on prevention and elimination of gender-based violence within the context of COVID-19, including domestic violence and sexual harassment at the workplace. Addressing the audience UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Storey noted: “Civil society organizations, including women’s rights and small grassroots organizations, are essential development actors since they not only advance referral systems and linkages between communities and the institutional services across sectors, but also render comprehensive services themselves to persons subjected to all forms of violence and discrimination”. The COVID-19 crisis is limiting access to justice for survivors as state institutions scale down operations. Health services for survivors are hampered as overwhelmed health systems shift focus. Movement restrictions are disrupting the ability of civil society organizations to support survivors, much less provide critical lifesaving services. “Civil society continues to be on the frontline of the global response to violence against women during the pandemic. It is imperative that these organizations are appropriately funded to leave no women and girls behind. Grassroots women’s rights organizations are at the heart of the Spotlight Initiative. To attain this ambitious goal, a comprehensive approach and an effective co-operation and partnerships among all key actors are required. The success of the Spotlight Initiative will not be possible without the full engagement of the governments and civil society in Central Asia and Afghanistan”, - noted Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan. The Spotlight Initiative is demonstrating that a significant, concerted and comprehensive investment in gender equality and ending violence can make a transformative difference in the lives of women and girls. It is important to note that 50% of the Initiative’s global funds have been budgeted for civil society organizations. “15 selected grantees will be able to introduce and improve their organizational systems, tools, and processes to respond to domestic violence within the COVID-19 context. Their capacities will be strengthened through rendering comprehensive services, development of guidelines, manuals and other knowledge products on, among others, effective service provision and rehabilitation; conducting analysis, research and legal reviews pertaining to sexual and gender-based violence with further recommendations”, - emphasized UN Women Representative to Kazakhstan Maria Dotsenko. The grants were awarded to 5 organizations from Kazakhstan: Kaysar Public Foundation, Doktor S.N. Public Foundation, Public Movement Against Violence “NeMolchi.kz” Public Foundation, Centr razvitiya i socialnoi pomoschi naseleniyu “Moi Dom” Public Association, Zhartas Kazakhstan Public Foundation; 3 organizations from Kyrgyzstan: Rehabilitation Center Kaniet Public Foundation, Pozitivnyi dialog Public Foundation, Tendesh Public Organization; 3 organizations from Tajikistan: Mumtoz Public Organization, Lojvar Public Organization, World of Law Public Organization 4 organizations from Uzbekistan: NIHOL Initiative’s Development and Supporting Center, Fergana Regional branch of the Centre of citizens’ initiatives support, Istiqbol Women's Center of the Khorezm region, Kalb Nuri Centre. Background: The Spotlight Initiative (SI) is a global, multi-year partnership between European Union and United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. In Central Asia and Afghanistan the Spotlight Initiative is addressing legislative and policy gaps, strengthening institutions, promoting gender-equitable attitudes, and providing quality services for survivors. Interventions are also strengthening systems for collecting data on violence against women and girls and women’s movements. The Initiative joins existing efforts and complements the work of regional institutions and diverse partners. Find out more on www.spotlightinitiative.org For more details, please contact Ms. Vassilina Vorkova, Communications Officer of the Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme for Central Asia and Afghanistan: +7 707 705 0025, vassilina.vorkova@undp.org Elnura Abakanova, Communications Officer, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, email: elnura.abakanova@eeas.europa.eu

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Press Release

08 January 2022

Kazakhstan: UN appeals to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and promote dialogue

Mr. Dujarric confirmed several contacts between the UN and the authorities in Kazakhstan, including a call on Thursday morning between the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia, Ms. Natalia Gherman, and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Akan Rakhmetullin. During these exchanges, appeals to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and promote dialogue to address the situation, were reiterated by the Special Representative, on behalf of the Secretary-General. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, also urged everyone, including security forces, protesters and others, to refrain from violence and to seek a peaceful resolution. She called on the authorities to ensure Internet services, which are vital for emergency health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, to be “immediately and completely restored.” Ms. Bachelet said it was now time to “take all steps” to make sure this dialogue happens and to respect and protect human rights during the state of emergency and beyond.

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Press Release

11 October 2021

Online video contest: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021

In 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched “The Sendai Seven Campaign” to promote each of the seven targets over seven years. The 2021 target is Target F: “Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present Framework by 2030”. In keeping with the Day’s focus on the impact that disasters have on people’s lives and well-being, this year’s theme is about highlighting best practices and examples of international cooperation, which have a positive impact on the lives of people who live in disaster-prone parts of the world i.e. reducing the numbers of people affected by man-made and natural hazards including extreme weather events, epidemics and pandemics, and earthquakes, environmental catastrophe and technological disasters. In dedication of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNDRR announces an Online Video Contest & a DRR Questionnaire, which will contribute to raise greater awareness about disaster risk reduction. Participants should submit their best answers following the link https://forms.office.com/r/ECwCKmBjdY Everyone has an opportunity to show their talent and contribute to the safety of their community by raising awareness on disaster risk reduction by submitting their work. Please read below the terms and condition of the Contest. Format • In the Videos participants should complete the phrase: "Disaster Risk Reduction is ..." Then, say the following phrase #OnlyTogether… Prevention Saves Lives. • All videos must be one-minute maximum of running time Eligibility requirements: Anyone with creativity skills is eligible to enter the contest. Technical specifications for submission: All materials should be submitted electronically to samal.bekmaganbetova@un.org. Participants are responsible to ensure the quality of the submitted material. Any entries deemed offensive will be immediately disqualified. The submitted material must be an original creation - no copyrighted images may be used. The participant must certify and warrant that the submitted material does not violate the rights of a third party or any copyright. UNDRR is not responsible for intellectual property violations that might have resulted through the submissions. Judging and notification of selected participants: The Contest closes at 23:59 pm on October 10, 2021, qualifying materials will be judged on adherence to the Contest theme through its message clarity, composition, and overall presentation. UNDRR will appoint a jury to judge the entries. The selected entry will be announced on October 13, 2021 and the winner will be notified by e-mail. Rights and ownership: By submitting their works to UNDRR, participants agree to grant UNDRR free of charge the right to use the submitted work in any manner and media, including without limitation, the right to publish, adapt, distribute, copy, display or translate in printed or electronic media even if they are not the winning entries. Award: The selected candidate will receive UNDRR Certificate, will be invited to events dedicated to disaster risk reduction and the winners’ work will be used for UNDRR materials as mentioned above. For more information, please contact: Ms. Samal Bekmaganbetova, National Technical Officersamal.bekmaganbetova@un.org, tel: (993-12) 488325 (117)

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Press Release

12 July 2021

Call for good practices in the field of digital agriculture

In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, the office of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Kazakhstan has launched a “Call for good practices on digital agriculture in Kazakhstan”. This call will enable to identify, showcase the good practices and innovative solutions that have proven successful in advancing the digital transformation of agriculture in the different regions of Kazakhstan. The deadline for submission is 31 July 2021. Successful Shortlisted candidates will receive the opportunity to present their good practices and outstanding achievements at the national online conference on “Digital Agriculture in Kazakhstan” which will be held in November 2021. The Call for good practices in digital agriculture seeks submissions from individuals and organisations in urban and rural areas involved in the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan, including forestry and fisheries. Contest requirements are as follows: The good practice must be already put into practice, or have been successfully finalised in the period from 2018 to 2021; The practices must be implemented in Kazakhstan. The good practice must be based on at least one or a combination of various digital technologies (mobile, satellite, cloud computing, machine learning, sensor network, IoT, etc); The solutions indicated in the submission must be accessible and affordable to stakeholders in the agriculture sector, so the practices can be replicable. *Please be informed that there is no participation fee. A complete description of the conditions of the Contest is here To participate, please submit all information about your good practice at the following link here : https://forms.gle/vHVEDKiJ5UWPgTj26. Other Information For any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at email: gulnaz.iskakova@fao.org

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Press Release

08 June 2021

Kazakhstan will take part in the Global Generation Equality Forum in Paris

The Forum is a civil society-centered, global gathering for gender equality. In 2021, although significant progress has been made, there is still much to be done. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated gender inequalities. In Kazakhstan and all around the world, women find themselves on the frontlines of the pandemic, bearing the brunt of the economic fallout, taking on more domestic work and childcare, and are more vulnerable to domestic abuse. Generation Equality Forum 2021 aims to secure a set of concrete, ambitious, and transformative commitments to achieve immediate and irreversible progress towards gender equality in the next five years. To achieve this ambition, a Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality will be launched in Paris. This Acceleration Plan is structured around six Action Coalitions, which each address a specific theme on women's rights and gender equality. Maria Dotsenko, UN Women Representative in Kazakhstan said: “I am very glad to hear that Kazakhstan has officially joined two Action Coalitions on Economic Justice and Rights and Gender-Based Violence. This pro-active position of the country underlines the Government’s commitment to mobilize efforts to make progress towards gender equality and the realization of the human rights of women and girls. We are ready to further support these efforts of our Kazakhstani partners”. She added: “It is very important to note that not only the government, but also civil society, the private sector, educational institutions and individuals are invited to register by June 18 through this link and get involved in the work within the Action Coalitions. This is a great opportunity for Kazakhstan not only to share its best practices in promoting gender equality at the global level, but also to announce new initiatives and strengthen work in this direction, fulfilling new specific commitments, and also to establish new partnerships at the regional and global levels”. The Forum will consist of approximately 80 live sessions, taking place between 9am and 7pm Central European Timezone. 30 discussion rooms will be set up on the platform on top of a host of arts and cultural activities. All events at the Paris Forum will be digitally broadcasted on the event platform, accessible from June 29th. To interact with panelists, connect with tens of thousands of participants from around the world, ask questions and more, register for the forum now! The closing date for registration is 27 June 2021 at 23:59 (GMT+2). Please note that only registered attendees will gain access to the Forum's digital platform. All individuals and organizations making commitments to the Action Coalition and leaders can submit their commitments by 18 June 2021 by filling out a form on a dedicated online platform. Media registration Would your media organization like to cover the Generation Equality Forum? You will receive a special accreditation allowing you to ask speakers for interviews, as well as access replays of the sessions and the press releases by the Forum organizers. Click here to register.
For more information please contact: Balnura Kuralova, UN Women Communications Analyst, balnura.kuralova@unwomen.org , +7 701 910 08 08

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