Kazakhstan’s FM Meets UN Secretary-General António Guterres
New York, The Gulf Observer: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, held a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
During their discussion, the two leaders addressed a range of pressing international issues on the General Assembly’s agenda, as well as the UN’s ongoing activities in Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region. Particular emphasis was placed on the initiative to establish a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Afghanistan, based in Almaty, which aims to enhance regional cooperation and sustainability efforts.
Foreign Minister Nurtleu reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to the core principles and objectives of the UN Charter, expressing full support for the global organization’s mission to foster universal peace and prosperity. He also provided an overview of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy priorities and key socio-economic and political reforms, as outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his recent State of the Nation Address delivered in September 2024.
Secretary-General Guterres commended Kazakhstan’s longstanding partnership with the United Nations, noting the country’s strategic role in advancing multilateralism, peace, and sustainable development. He lauded Kazakhstan’s efforts in promoting dialogue across cultures, religions, and civilizations, and recognized the nation as a pivotal bridge between East and West.
“For us, Kazakhstan is a privileged partner, a pillar of multilateralism, and a conduit for dialogue between cultures, religions, and civilizations. Your country, as a key player in Central Asia, serves as a bridge between East and West,” Guterres remarked.
The UN Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to Kazakhstan for its steadfast support of UN initiatives, particularly the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Guterres personally visited the center during his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in July 2024.
The meeting underscored the strong and growing cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Nations, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to promoting peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development on a global scale.
