Almaty celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first UN office in Kazakhstan

In his speech, Bauyrzhan Baibek noted that in the city in accordance with OECD standards the Almaty 2020 Program was being actively implemented, system transformations were under way according to Western standards for creating an open, favorable, comfortable urban environment. The necessary conditions are created for ease of doing business, attracting investments. Together with the United Nations Development Program, the project "Sustainable Transport" is successfully implemented.

"Today 40% of all joint enterprises of the country, more than 60 offices of international organizations and transnational companies work in Almaty. The opening of the Regional Hub of the UN in the year of the 25th anniversary of the Organization's activities in Kazakhstan will certainly become a new historic milestone in the fruitful partnership of Kazakhstan," B.Baibek said.

Congratulating the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first Office of the UN Office in Kazakhstan, the Almaty’s governor also thanked the organization for the assistance provided in the city's events. Last year, the 1000th anniversary of Almaty was included in the UNESCO Calendar of Memorable Events, in addition the metropolis entered the Creative Cities Network of this organization. An example of effective interaction with the World Health Organization was the opening in Almaty in 2016 of the Office of the WHO European Bureau. Almaty also became the first city in Central Asia to join the "Healthy Cities" Network. The historic event of this year will be the Conference dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Almaty Declaration.

In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, noted that since joining the United Nations - Kazakhstan is an active member and loyal supporter.

"UN organizations and programs have made and continue to make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan. At the same time, the UN provided technical and financial assistance to our country in the framework of such important projects as rehabilitation of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, restoration of the Aral Sea," Abdrakhmanov said.

In her turn, the special representative of the UN Secretary General for Central Asia Natalia Herman noted that Kazakhstan is making a lot of efforts in the most problematic spheres of human activity and is actively demonstrating its potential.

"Kazakhstan has reached a high level of cooperation with the UN in all areas. All initiatives that come from President Nursultan Nazarbayev are the creation of an anti-terrorist coalition and this is very important for a world in which there is no place for terrorism. The role of Kazakhstan in the field of disarmament and strengthening of the regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is universally recognized in the world. I would also like to thank all Kazakhstanis who are important supporters of peace," said Natalia Herman.

The event was also attended by the first permanent representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Akmaral Arystanbekova, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura, UN representatives, etc.