New York – Astana: The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to establish a UN regional center in Almaty, Kazakhstan, aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Central Asia and Afghanistan, based on a document submitted by Kazakhstan on behalf of Central Asian countries.
The adoption of this resolution confirms global support for a regional approach to sustainable development and demonstrates the international community’s readiness to facilitate the progress of Central Asia and Afghanistan toward stability, prosperity, and integration into global development processes.
Kazakhstan’s initiative, proposed by its president to establish a UN center, received unanimous support from UN member states, with 152 countries endorsing the proposal during the session on March 4th in New York, including the Republic of Korea as a co-sponsor. This broad consensus highlights the high significance of the initiative and the wide international support.
International and Regional Platform
The center will serve as a key platform for coordinating international and regional efforts, exchanging best practices, providing technical assistance, and implementing joint projects. It will work closely with governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to achieve tangible and measurable results. The center will also make a significant contribution to revitalizing the UN system, enhancing the effectiveness of the organization’s activities at the regional level.
In addition, the Centre will make a significant contribution to the revitalization processes of the UN system, helping to increase the effectiveness of the organization’s activities at the regional level. Its work will be aimed at strengthening coordination between UN agencies, adapting global initiatives to regional needs and promoting inclusive multilateral cooperation, which meets current UN reforms aimed at increasing its efficiency and effectiveness.
At the same time, the center’s work will aim to strengthen coordination among UN agencies, adapt global initiatives to regional needs, and promote inclusive multilateral cooperation, aligning with current UN reforms aimed at improving its efficiency and effectiveness.
Tokayev Suggested the Center
A statement from the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this initiative was first introduced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, where he proposed establishing the center in the International Organizations Building in Almaty, which already hosts 18 UN agencies.
The statement added that Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in Central Asia, seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and drive sustainable development, with particular attention to the economic growth of Afghanistan. The stability and prosperity of Afghanistan are directly linked to the security and well-being of Central Asia.
The statement further clarified that the center will act as a central platform for coordinating international and regional efforts, exchanging best practices, providing technical assistance, and implementing joint projects. It will work alongside governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to drive actual progress in the region.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s statement concluded: “The center will play a central role in UN system reform and improving its efficiency at the regional level. Its work will focus on strengthening coordination among UN agencies, adapting global initiatives to meet the region’s needs, and promoting inclusive multilateral cooperation.”
It’s a significant foreign policy success for Kazakhstan, and the Head of State expressed gratitude to all partner states for supporting the Kazakhstani initiative. The President believes that the UN Regional SDGs Center will become a key platform to coordinate international efforts in the region, wrote Ruslan Zheldibay, Press-Secretary and Advisor to the Kazakh President, on his Telegram channel.
Key Role of Kazakhstan
President Tokayev stressed that Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in the region, is interested in strengthening cooperation between states and the sustainable development of Central Asia, playing a key role in promoting regional integration.
The growing role of middle powers in global governance underscores the importance of Kazakhstan’s efforts to ensure sustainable development and stability. Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its role as an important bridge between the world’s leading centers of power and acts as a catalyst for international cooperation.
The establishment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals center is an important step in implementing President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative, which was first presented during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. At that time, President Tokayev suggested the center’s foundation in the new International Organizations Building in Almaty, where 18 UN agencies are already operating. He affirmed that Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in the region, is committed to enhancing cooperation among countries and promoting sustainable development in Central Asia, playing a major role in fostering regional integration. The increasing role of middle powers in global governance underscores the importance of Kazakhstan’s efforts to ensure sustainable development and stability, with the country continuing to strengthen its role as a vital bridge between leading global power centers and acting as a catalyst for international cooperation. The center will pay special attention to Afghanistan’s economic development.
