Tokayev announced a regional environmental summit in Astana
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke during a visit to the UN Regional Center in Almaty, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Akorda.
Tokayev began his speech by thanking UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his participation in this significant event.
Today, the Head of State and the UN Secretary-General took part in the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the UN on the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
The President noted that today's event is of great significance for both Kazakhstan and the United Nations. This event is an important and powerful signal to the entire international community about the significance of Central Asia, which is becoming a critical player on the global map.
He added that the signed agreement formalizes the creation of the Regional Center for SDGs and marks an important stage in the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN. "Amid growing geopolitical turbulence, conflicts, climate change, and threats to food security, the United Nations must play a key role in ensuring a safer and more stable world. For Kazakhstan, the UN remains an indispensable and vital pillar of the international order. Since joining the Organization 33 years ago, Kazakhstan has consistently demonstrated itself as a responsible, proactive, and peace-loving member of the international community," he said.
According to the Head of State, the opening of the UN center in Almaty reflects the growing strategic importance of the region.
"Today, Central Asia demonstrates unprecedented unity and a strong commitment to the principles of good-neighborliness and shared progress. Countries in the region are implementing political and social reforms, taking decisive steps to diversify their economies, investing in human capital development, and creating more inclusive institutions. We strive to unlock Central Asia's potential as an active mediator in addressing key international issues and consistently promote a constructive and forward-looking agenda on the global stage. In this context, the establishment of the UN Regional Center in Almaty is a timely and strategically important step," he emphasized.
The President believes the Center will serve as a catalyst for coordinated action to strengthen the resilience and dynamism of our economies, develop regional innovation, and deepen cooperation.
"The mandate and functions of this Center will not overlap with the activities of other organizations, either within or outside the region. On the contrary, the Center will complement existing efforts, adding value by focusing on the real needs of residents across the region. Problems in Central Asia, such as the environmental degradation of the Aral Sea and the shrinking Caspian Sea, have become notorious. To effectively address them, it is necessary to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance the involvement of the United Nations. In this regard, Kazakhstan will host a regional environmental summit in Astana in April 2026 in partnership with UN agencies," the Head of State stated.