Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Diene Keita, focusing on expanding cooperation in demographic policy, healthcare, and gender equality, DKNews.kz reports.
The meeting highlighted Kazakhstan’s continued engagement with the United Nations and its support for multilateral reform efforts, including the “UN80” initiative aimed at strengthening the global governance system.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister underlined that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev places special emphasis on comprehensive cooperation with the UN and views it as a key platform for addressing global challenges.
Focus on Health, Youth, and Gender Equality
During the discussions, both sides noted positive progress in cooperation across several social sectors.
Key areas of collaboration included:
- Improvement of maternal and child healthcare outcomes
- Development of youth-friendly health centres
- Expansion of gender equality and women’s empowerment programs
- Conducting demographic and population research in Kazakhstan and the wider region
Kazakhstan emphasized that healthcare, youth policy, and gender equality should become central pillars of regional dialogue with UNFPA, particularly in Central Asia.
Almaty to Host New Regional Demographic Hub
A major outcome of the meeting was the announcement by Diene Keita of the decision to establish the UNFPA Central Asian Hub on Demographic Resilience in Almaty.
The new centre will focus on:
- Collecting and analysing demographic data across Central Asia
- Researching long-term population trends
- Supporting evidence-based policymaking in health and social development
- Strengthening regional coordination on demographic challenges
The hub is expected to significantly enhance Kazakhstan’s role as a regional platform for international cooperation and data-driven development strategies.
Almaty Strengthens Its Position as a UN Cooperation Center
Kazakhstan also proposed actively utilizing the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty as a broader platform for UNFPA’s regional engagement.
Officials from both sides agreed that closer coordination will help address shared challenges, including demographic shifts, youth development, and social inequality.
Commitment to Continued Dialogue
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue on regional and global priorities.
The discussions reflected a shared understanding that demographic resilience, healthcare systems, and gender equality will remain key pillars of cooperation in the coming years.
