Kazakhstan, UNFPA Discuss Expansion of Cooperation in Health, Gender Equality and Demographic Development
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev on Tuesday held a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Diene Keita to review ongoing cooperation and explore avenues for strengthening collaboration in key social development sectors.
During the talks, Minister Kosherbayev underscored that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attaches high importance to expanding comprehensive cooperation with the United Nations. He reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strong support for the UN as a universal platform for addressing global challenges and highlighted the country’s active engagement in the “UN80” initiative aimed at enhancing multilateral dialogue and advancing institutional reforms.
The Foreign Minister positively assessed the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and UNFPA, particularly in improving maternal and infant healthcare, developing youth health centres, and conducting demographic and population research. He emphasized that healthcare, youth policy, and gender equality should be prioritized within regional cooperation frameworks with UNFPA.
In this context, he proposed utilizing the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty as a platform to further expand UNFPA’s presence and activities across Central Asia.
For her part, Diene Keita commended Kazakhstan’s systemic reforms in advancing gender equality, protecting women’s rights, and expanding opportunities for women. She also acknowledged the country’s notable progress in healthcare, youth and family policy, as well as its achievements in reducing maternal and child mortality rates.
Keita further announced the decision to establish the UNFPA Central Asian Hub on Demographic Resilience in Almaty. The new hub will function as a regional centre for collecting, analysing, and researching demographic trends across Central Asia.
Both sides agreed to continue constructive dialogue on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the years ahead.
Earlier, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov also met with Diene Keita to discuss cooperation in healthcare, maternal and child protection, reproductive health, and initiatives supporting women and youth development.
