Alikhan Smailov meets with UN Under Secretary-General

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held a meeting with the UN Under Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator Usha Rao-Monari on Thursday, June 16 in Almaty.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Adviser of the UNDP Executive Agency in New York Derek Pieper, Deputy Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS Marina Walter and UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan Yakup Berish, a wide range of issues of cooperation within the framework of UNDP activities in Kazakhstan were considered.

In his speech, Alikhan Smailov recalled that Kazakhstan joined the UN on March 2, 1992, shortly after gaining independence.

“Since then, we have constantly felt the support of the UN, and participation in its global policy and programs is one of the main priorities of Kazakhstan's foreign policy,” said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to him, UNDP activities in Kazakhstan are largely focused on environmental protection. Thus, with the participation and support of UNDP, environmental projects have been implemented in the Kyzylorda and East Kazakhstan regions, and six specially protected natural sites with a total area of ​​more than 2 million hectares have been created.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Kazakhstan supports the new UNDP Country Program for 2021-2025, which affects the priority areas of development for our country.

“The Program is relevant in the light of the large-scale political and economic reforms being carried out in the country, outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as part of the New Kazakhstan concept,” said Alikhan Smailov.

In turn, Usha Rao-Monari confirmed the readiness of the UN to continue to provide support for the sustainable development of Kazakhstan.

“Success in achieving the SDGs will require a fundamental change in the path of development. With just eight years to 2030, we must put in more effort and commitment to get development back on track and moving forward,” said Usha Rao-Monari. This requires investing in people, improving social protection, providing quality education, creating decent jobs, switching to renewable energy sources and ensuring digitalization for all. Such bold actions entail rethinking the SDG financing system.”

Following the meeting between the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNDP, a Protocol of Intentions was signed as part of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the field of Sustainable Development Goals and the UNDP Country Program for 2021-2025, which will further expand cooperation between Kazakhstan and UNDP.

It should be noted that on June 16, the second regional Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals “Beyond COVID — on the way to a fair recovery in Central Asia” began its work in Almaty. The summit is organized by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in partnership with the United Nations Development Program in Kazakhstan with the financial support of the European Union and the Asian Development Bank.

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