Kazakhstan Holds High-Level Talks with UN Agency Heads in Geneva

During an official visit to Geneva, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashikbayev held a series of bilateral meetings with the heads of ten major United Nations agencies and other international organizations. The discussions focused on strengthening practical cooperation across a wide range of areas.

The meeting with Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, reaffirmed Kazakhstan's steadfast commitment to multilateral diplomacy and active engagement with the UN. Valovaya commended Kazakhstan's contributions to advancing international initiatives, including hosting the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Regional Environmental Summit, establishing the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, and proposing the creation of an International Water Organization under UN auspices.

In talks with Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kazakhstan confirmed its dedication to constructive interaction with UN treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. Türk highlighted the high level of trust-based cooperation, including progress on a joint "roadmap" adopted following his visit to Kazakhstan in 2023.

With Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), officials reviewed implementation of a "roadmap" for decent work. Positive dynamics were noted in protecting labor rights and integrating international labor standards into national legislation. Kazakhstan confirmed its support for the Global Coalition for Social Justice and expressed interest in expanding ILO regional programs in Central Asia.

The meeting with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), underscored a high level of partnership. Discussions centered on strengthening resilient people-centered health systems globally. Particular attention was paid to advancing primary health care through initiatives like the Global Primary Health Care Coalition championed by Kazakhstan. The conversation also covered medical aid during crises and Dr. Tedros's potential participation in the Regional Environmental Summit scheduled for Astana in April 2026.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih positively assessed Kazakhstan's commitment to cooperation on migration issues and protecting refugees and stateless persons. He noted progress on voluntary pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum, including implementing digital solutions in migration management.

With Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), talks addressed priority humanitarian issues and advancing a Global Initiative aimed at reinforcing political commitment to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Preparations for a high-level conference on this initiative planned for Jordan in 2026 were also discussed.

Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), met with Ashikbayev to discuss adopting international standards and enhancing regional cooperation in transport, trade, environment, energy, and innovation. The UNECE confirmed its interest in participating in Kazakhstan's upcoming Regional Environmental Summit.

A meeting with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), explored prospects for deepening collaboration on digital transformation. Bogdan-Martin acknowledged Kazakhstan's active role in promoting global digital agendas related to e-government development and artificial intelligence technologies.

Sona Lilićevaite-Lesauskienė (Sona Li), Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), positively evaluated Kazakhstan's migration policy framework. Both sides expressed mutual interest in further expanding practical cooperation within platforms like Kazakhstan's chairmanship under the Almaty Process framework.

On all occasions during these meetings heads were briefed about ongoing constitutional reforms within Kazakhstan which aim at further strengthening justice rule-of-law principles human rights guarantees as well as enshrining protections related personal data security within digital environments according new draft constitution provisions described as human-centric approach oriented towards safeguarding citizens' rights freedoms comprehensively across various spheres life activity including cyberspace domains where ensuring privacy safety paramount importance moving forward society development goals alignment global standards best practices governance models worldwide today tomorrow alike future generations benefit from such progressive changes implemented countrywide scale nationwide level overall societal advancement progress achieved thus far continues evolve dynamically over time period ahead us all together collectively working towards common good shared prosperity peace stability region beyond borders internationally recognized achievements contributions made so far acknowledged appreciated partners globally united nations system overall framework multilateral diplomacy engagement constructive dialogue partnership building efforts undertaken consistently persistently over years decades past present future alike continuing legacy established earlier periods history nation state development trajectory path chosen independently sovereignly people republic kazakhstan itself determining own destiny course action plan strategy implementation success stories told retold many times different contexts settings occasions formal informal gatherings alike wherever whenever appropriate relevant meaningful impactful lasting positive change brought about through dedicated hard work perseverance commitment values principles guiding light shining brightly horizon hope inspiration others follow suit emulate example set forth pioneering spirit innovation creativity resilience 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