Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev has held talks with United Nations Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund Diene Keita, DKNews.kz reports.
The meeting focused on cooperation in healthcare, youth policy, gender equality and demographic development.
Kazakhstan highlights importance of UN partnership
During the talks, Minister Kosherbayev emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches special importance to cooperation with the United Nations.
He noted that Kazakhstan remains a strong supporter of the UN as a universal platform for addressing global challenges and actively participates in the implementation of the “UN80” initiative aimed at reforming multilateral dialogue.
Focus on healthcare and demographic policy
Kosherbayev positively assessed cooperation between Kazakhstan and UNFPA in several areas.
Among them:
- maternal and infant healthcare
- development of youth health centres
- demographic and population research
- gender equality initiatives
According to the minister, healthcare, youth policy and gender equality should become key areas of regional dialogue with UNFPA.
Almaty proposed as regional platform
The minister also called for broader use of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
According to the Kazakh side, the platform could help expand UNFPA’s regional activities and cooperation in Central Asia.
UN praises Kazakhstan reforms
Diene Keita said the United Nations highly values Kazakhstan’s reforms in social and gender policy.
“The United Nations commends Kazakhstan’s systemic reforms in promoting gender equality, protecting women’s rights and expanding opportunities for women.”
She also highlighted Kazakhstan’s achievements in:
- healthcare development
- youth and family policy
- reduction of maternal mortality
- reduction of child mortality
New UNFPA regional hub to open in Almaty
During the meeting, Diene Keita announced the decision to establish the UNFPA Central Asian Hub on Demographic Resilience in Almaty.
The new hub will function as a regional center for:
- collecting demographic data
- analytical research
- studying population development trends in Central Asia
The initiative may strengthen Almaty’s role as a regional platform for international cooperation and policy expertise.
Dialogue to continue
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue constructive dialogue on global and regional issues.
Why this matters
The meeting reflects Kazakhstan’s growing role in regional cooperation on social development and demographic policy.
The launch of the new UNFPA hub in Almaty could help:
- improve regional demographic research
- strengthen healthcare cooperation
- support youth and family programs
- expand international partnerships in Central Asia
It also reinforces Kazakhstan’s position as a regional center for UN initiatives and multilateral dialogue.
