UN and Kazakhstan Outline Roadmap for Joint Development Goals

Today the United Nations Country Team in Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Government of Kazakhstan, convened a Strategic Prioritization Workshop to discuss the priorities and expected outcomes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030. The event marks a critical step in shaping how the UN will support Kazakhstan's national development over the next five years.

The Cooperation Framework is the central guiding document – a road map for all UN activities in Kazakhstan, determining how resources will be allocated to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also outlines the collaborative efforts between the UN, government, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The workshop brought together over 100 representatives from various sectors, including Government officials, NGOs, academia and think tanks, private sector leaders. The discussions focused on identifying key priority areas, including current opportunities and challenges, actions needed, and gaps in achieving the SDGs. Extra attention was on ways to speed up SDGs progress and highlight where the UN can offer the most support for Kazakhstan's national goals. Finally, it covers both financial and non-financial commitments needed to meet the SDGs in the country.

“Kazakhstan ranks 66 out of 166 countries in SDG Index. The progress is there, but a lot needs to be done. And today’s conversation will support to shape UN’s support to the country for the next cycle. This is a unique opportunity for us to align our strategies with national priorities, ensuring that our initiatives resonate with the aspirations of the people we serve,” noted UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Kazakhstan Katarzyna Wawiernia.

Over the past 30 years, the UN has implemented over 400 projects in Kazakhstan at the national, regional and local levels in many areas, such as reducing inequality, modernizing institutions, diversifying the economy, and supporting the most vulnerable groups – children, women, the elderly, migrants and refugees.