We will actively interact with UN Regional Centre for SDGs in Almaty – Senate Speaker Ashimbayev

“On the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The implementation of this Presidential initiative is a big achievement for Kazakhstan. This decision demonstrates international recognition of Kazakhstan as a country actively contributing to the sustainable development both at the national and international levels,” Maulen Ashimbayev said.

He said the Centre will coordinate the projects aimed at rational use of water resources, combating droughts, desertification and air pollution, and will assist in implementation of green technologies.

The Senate Speaker highlighted that the Parliamentary Commission [Parliamentary Commission on Monitoring the Implementation of National Goals and Objectives for Sustainable Development - edit] will actively interact with the UN Regional Centre for SDGs in Almaty.

Maulen Ashimbayev also emphasized that Kazakhstan faces today the problems of land degradation, lack of woodland areas, and desertification. The works on conservation of rare animals, including the snow leopard, are underway, and this experience is planned to be expanded to other endangered species.

He reminded that the environment protection issues have been in focus of the President of Kazakhstan. Over 1 million tons of garbage have been collected and more than 1.6 million trees have been planted across the country under the Taza Qazaqstan (Clean Kazakhstan) campaign initiated by the Head of State, uniting almost 6 million people. More than 90,000 volunteers are involved in the campaign.