Commemorative Stamp Cancellation Ceremony Dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child was Held at the Kazakh Foreign Ministry

Astana, November 22, 2024 – A solemn ceremony of a commemorative postage stamp block cancellation dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the ratification by the Republic of Kazakhstan of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and World Children’s Day was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

The CRC was one of the first international treaties ratified by the Republic of Kazakhstan in the early days of its independence. Thus, the country has voluntarily undertaken global commitments to ensure equal rights for every child. The Convention has become a fundamental document for building a child-friendly society and has laid the foundation for Kazakhstan’s long-term cooperation with UNICEF.

The ceremony was attended by Didar Temenov, Director of Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan, and Talgat Gazizov, Managing Director – Member of the Board of Kazpost JSC. The event also welcomed heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Temenov, in his speech, highlighted the exceptional importance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child not only for Kazakhstan, but for the global community as a whole. He emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his State of the Nation Address of September 2, 2024, noted that improving the well-being of children “is a key priority of Kazakhstan’s state policy.”  The Kazakh diplomat also expressed gratitude to all partners who contribute to the implementation of children’s rights at the national level and conveyed hope for further effective cooperation.

The representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund in Kazakhstan stressed that over the past 30 years Kazakhstan and UNICEF have been working together fruitfully to enhance the welfare of children. This includes significant progress in areas such as health, education and child protection. “However, this anniversary is not only an opportunity to reflect on past achievements, but also to identify new challenges and priorities. It is crucial to continue developing sustainable solutions to support every child, ensuring access to quality services and protection of rights in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals,” added the representative of UNICEF in Kazakhstan.

In turn, Gazizov noted that “Kazpost is proud to support the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNICEF. The commemorative postal block draws attention to important social issues and symbolizes our common goal – to create equal opportunities for children across Kazakhstan.”

For reference: The Convention on the Rights of the Child serves as the basis for cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Children’s Fund. On November 25, 1994, the Basic Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNICEF was signed.