United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres pays official visit to Kazakhstan

The Secretary-General was warmly welcomed by the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Akan Rakhmetullin, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Kairat Umarov and UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Storey.

Following his arrival, Secretary-General Guterres and his delegation visited the UN Plaza in Almaty, meeting the UN staff working in Kazakhstan. The UN team in Kazakhstan is comprised of 28 agencies, funds and programmes led by the UN Resident Coordinator to achieve SDGs. To facilitate country-based and regional operations, the UN is located in two cities: Astana and Almaty. In 2023 the UN in Kazakhstan accounted for 494 staff, including 427 national and 67 international. During the meeting with the UN Country Team the Secretary-General underscored the UN's commitment to supporting Kazakhstan's national reforms and the broader regional development goals.

This was followed by a brief tour of the “UN and Me” exhibition, showcasing the UN's various initiatives and engagements in Kazakhstan. The Secretary-General was introduced the stories of ordinary Kazakhstani citizens whose resilience, determination, and belief in a better future have not only transformed their own lives but also contributed to sustainable development. 

The visit continued with a presentation of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Center, which plays a critical role in studying and addressing the impacts of climate change in the region. The centre collaborates on regional research programs, connects with global initiatives like UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, and enhances local expertise in assessing climate impacts.

On the same day, upon his arrival to Astana, the Secretary-General Guterres met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. They discussed UN-Kazakhstan cooperation, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Summit of the Future, as well as regional integration in Central Asia. The Secretary-General thanked the President for his leadership on nuclear disarmament and peace initiatives, and for the Government’s support to the UN, including the provision of premises for the United Nations in Almaty.

On 4 July, the Secretary-General attended the SCO Plus session of the SCO Summit and conducted a number of bilateral meetings. During the SCO Plus session the Secretary-General highlighted the need to reaffirm our common commitment to multilateralism based on the UN Charter, international law, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, noting that the central goal of our multilateral system must be peace. He has also noted that today’s deep global divisions are an obstacle to progress on two existential threats: the climate emergency and digital technologies. The Secretary-General highlighted that the failure of countries to unite for solutions to common challenges reflects a deeper dysfunction in our world, and that multilateralism is falling back.

Secretary-General Guterres's visit highlights the strong partnership between the United Nations and Kazakhstan, focusing on collaboration in areas such as sustainable development, climate action, and regional cooperation. In his interview for Silkway TV, the Secretary-General noted: "I could go on and on in areas where the voice of Kazakhstan in the UN is extremely important. On the other hand, I think we need to recognize that when Kazakhstan acts in favor of peace, when Kazakhstan acts in bringing together parties in conflict in order to solve their problems, when Kazakhstan is this honest broker in international affairs, Kazakhstan becomes a very important instrument of the objectives of the UN".

During the visit the Secretary-General also met with the IOM Goodwill Ambassador Dimash Qudaibergen. The Secretary General noted that Dimash's voice is heard by millions of people around the world, and his voice can advocate for human rights and raise general awareness. The IOM Goodwill Ambassadors program aims to engage well-known and respected artists, cultural, artistic and sporting figures and to highlight issues related to migration, emphasizing the importance of safe, orderly and regular migration.

For over three decades, the UN has actively supported various initiatives and projects in Kazakhstan, promoting social development and improving the quality of life for its citizens. In 2023, Kazakhstan made further strides towards sustainable development, adopting the Carbon Neutrality Strategy, a new Social Code, accelerating inclusive service provision based on digital technologies, and taking measures to enhance the protection of socio-economic rights of vulnerable groups. To support these achievements, the UN provided policy advisory services, promoted international norms and standards, and implemented catalytic programs to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.