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

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Almaty this morning, marking the beginning of an important visit to Kazakhstan as part of his tour to Central Asia. The Secretary-General was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Mayor of Almaty Darkhan Satybaldy, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Kairat Umarov and UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa.

During the bilateral meeting the Secretary-General and the President discussed UN-Kazakhstan cooperation, including the operationalization of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, formalized per decision by the General Assembly. 

The Host Country Agreement between the United Nations and Kazakhstan, establishing the UN Regional Center for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan was signed by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu and UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General says that “the Centre represents the opening of a new chapter – for the region and for our collective journey toward the Sustainable Development Goals. It symbolizes a new era of cooperation in Central Asia – grounded in shared priorities and solutions. And it holds great potential for showing how the strong bonds among the region’s leaders can translate into deeper economic integration, for the benefit of all people. I commend President Tokayev for his vision and his leadership in helping to shape this new Central Asia that will become more and more a fundamental power in our world order.”

The Secretary-General also met with the UN Country Team in Kazakhstan, composed of 27 UN agencies, funds, and programmes. In his remarks, Mr. Guterres noted: “We are guided by our principles, values, and the United Nations Charter. In Central Asia, there is a significant opportunity to foster regional prosperity and strengthen human capacities. The work being carried out on the ground by the UN Team is commendable. Let us continue advancing together.”

In 2024, the country made important steps toward achieving the SDGs with nearly 40 percent of targets either reached or on track. Key reforms included the adoption of the Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2060, a new Social Code, improved digital public services, and stronger protection of vulnerable groups. The UN continues to promote international standards, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, and scale up in-country solutions to help Kazakhstan and the region realize the 2030 Agenda.

This visit comes at a critical moment as the world looks ahead to the implementation of the Pact for the Future, adopted by the UN General Assembly at the Summit of the Future in September 2024. The Pact is a landmark agreement encompassing concrete commitments covering sustainable development, peace and security, digital cooperation, and youth inclusion. It sets the stage for a stronger, more inclusive multilateral system equipped to meet current and future challenges. With the United Nations celebrating its 80th anniversary, Kazakhstan’s active support for the Pact reflects its leadership in shaping a multilateral agenda grounded in sustainability, equity, and intergenerational responsibility.