NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan — Afghanistan’s situation requires close attention, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a meeting with foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, according to Kazakh media on Tuesday.
“The situation in Afghanistan requires close attention. It is crucial to continue efforts to avert a humanitarian crisis and create conditions for long-term stabilization. Supporting Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty is particularly relevant,” Tokayev said.
Tokayev also emphasized the need for countries to address climate change.
“Without urgent proactive measures, this problem could lead our planet into a dramatic period of global natural cataclysms. Extreme weather conditions are emerging as one of the world’s major challenges. Therefore, it is essential to refine the SCO’s approaches to combating natural disasters. This spring, Kazakhstan experienced the severe negative impacts of climate change firsthand. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to your countries for their solidarity and assistance during the unprecedented large-scale floods in Kazakhstan. We deeply appreciate this support,” he added.
