UNFPA expands presence in Central Asia with new hub in Kazakhstan

During the talks, Minister Kosherbayev emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches particular importance to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with the United Nations. He reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s steadfast support for the UN as a universal platform for addressing global challenges and highlighted the country’s active participation in the implementation of the “UN80” initiative, aimed at reforming multilateral dialogue, according to the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.

The Minister positively assessed ongoing cooperation between Kazakhstan and UNFPA in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, developing youth health centres, and conducting demographic and population studies.

He stressed that healthcare, youth policy, and gender equality should become priority areas of regional dialogue with UNFPA.

In this regard, he proposed leveraging the UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty as a platform to expand UNFPA’s presence in Central Asia.

For her part, Diene Keita commended Kazakhstan’s systemic reforms in promoting gender equality, protecting women’s rights, and expanding opportunities for women. She noted the country’s impressive achievements in healthcare, youth and family policy, and reducing maternal and child mortality rates.

Keita also announced the Organization’s decision to establish the UNFPA Central Asian Hub on Demographic Resilience in Almaty. The hub will serve as a regional centre for collecting, analysing, and researching demographic development trends across Central Asia.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue their constructive dialogue on pressing issues of the global and regional agenda.

Earlier, it was reported that Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov of Kazakhstan held a meeting with United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Diene Keita. The sides discussed cooperation in healthcare, maternal and child protection, reproductive health, and support for women and youth.