Kazakh President proposes establishing regional branch of United Nations University in Almaty
Delivering a lecture at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated 'Kazakhstan’s authority on the international stage is directly grounded in the progress made within the country,' Qazinform News Agency reports via Akorda.
According to the view of the Kazakh President, responsible domestic policy lies at the heart of effective diplomacy.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that he attaches particular importance to the development of education and international academic cooperation, especially in areas that can help accelerate global transformation.
These priorities fully align with the mission of the United Nations University. This year, Kazakhstan opened the UN Regional Center for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan. Building on this foundation, Kazakhstan is ready to establish a regional branch of the United Nations University in Almaty. Its activities could focus primarily on issues related to water and climate security, conflict prevention and peacekeeping, sustainable development, and the governance of artificial intelligence, stated Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In conclusion, President Tokayev expressed Kazakhstan’s interest in further strengthening institutional partnerships between the United Nations University and leading Kazakhstani universities in the areas of joint research, academic exchanges, and graduate training programs.
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global research and educational center headquartered in Tokyo, established by the UN General Assembly. The University brings together 13 institutes located in 12 countries.
Recall that the Kazakh President arrived in Japan on an official visit on December 17.
On December 18, President Tokayev held talks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan in Tokyo. The Kazakh President said that the two countries are bound by longstanding friendly relations based on mutual respect and fruitful cooperation across various fields.
On the same day, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Meiji Jingu Shrine, the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, had meetings with the citizens of Kazakhstan currently studying or working in Japan, and with the members of the Japanese Parliamentary League of Friendship with Kazakhstan led by Toshiaki Endo. The Head of State highly appreciated the activity of the League, saying that he viewed it as an important mechanism of strengthening the bilateral cooperation.
Then, the Kazakh leader held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
The meeting ended with signing 14 documents.
On Friday, December 19, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. The two sides discussed cooperation in digitalization, the development of Smart City technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainable urban development, and the introduction of innovative solutions in city management.
Later, in the presence of the Kazakh President, Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Japan.
The Head of State also had meetings with Shingo Ueno, Representative Director, President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation, Chairman and CEO of Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, Ichiro Tahakaru, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Komatsu Ltd, as well as President of Hitachi Construction Machinery, Masafumi Senzaki.
It was reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave a lecture at the UN University in Tokyo titled as “Restoring Strategic Trust in an Era of Turbulence: How Kazakhstan Envisions a Fairer and More Stable World.”