Kazakh Foreign Ministry and the US Agency for International Development Explore Opportunities for Cooperation in Official Development Assistance

NUR-SULTAN, September 22, 2020 - Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rapil Zhoshybayev, met with the USAID’s Regional Mission Director for Central Asia, Christopher Edwards.

During the meeting, promising areas of cooperation in the field of official development assistance (ODA) and the implementation of joint future projects in a trilateral format were discussed.

The Kazakh diplomat informed about the Ministry’s activities to form a national ODA system and create a national operator in this area. The Kazakh side proposed to consider the possibility of joint implementation of projects to create public service centers, introduce e-government and boost border trade with Central Asian countries, as well as to provide clean drinking water and ensure rational use of water resources.

In addition, the Foreign Ministry representative briefed on the regular assistance provided by Kazakhstan to Afghanistan, aimed at the socio-economic recovery of this country, and the advancement of public administration, education, healthcare, agriculture and other areas in the IRA.

In turn, the USAID’s Regional Mission Director, welcoming the creation of the KazAID Agency, expressed readiness to render technical assistance to Kazakhstan in the development of the national ODA system, as well as to share experience in this direction, which, in his opinion, will serve to strengthen stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

As a result of the meeting, the Parties agreed to further deepen cooperation in the field of ODA, including the practical implementation of specific projects aimed at social and economic development and improving the well-being of the population.