Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed into law an agreement establishing a United Nations Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia and Afghanistan, Kazakh authorities said.
The agreement, signed between the Kazakh government and the UN, provides the legal framework for the creation and operation of the center in Kazakhstan. With the legislation now approved, the country’s domestic ratification process has been completed.
According to documents released by the Kazakh presidency, the center will aim to strengthen regional coordination on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, improve the effectiveness of technical assistance programs, facilitate the exchange of expertise and provide policy analysis.
Kazakh officials said the center is also expected to deepen cooperation among Kazakhstan, the UN and countries across the region, including Afghanistan.
The agreement outlines the center’s legal status, its relationship with government institutions, the status of its personnel and its financial and administrative arrangements.
Under the framework, the center’s activities will focus on sustainable development, climate resilience, inclusive economic growth, social policy and humanitarian cooperation — areas that officials say reflect the needs of Central Asian countries and Afghanistan.
Kazakh authorities said the center will develop and implement annual work programs under the supervision of an advisory council and an international coordinating committee.
As part of the agreement, Kazakhstan has committed to providing the United Nations with $3 million annually from 2025 through 2029 to support the center’s operations and programs.
In recent years, Kazakhstan has sought to position itself as a regional hub for UN activities related to Afghanistan, advocating for greater economic integration and international assistance for the country while maintaining contacts with Taliban. The UN has also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing Afghanistan’s humanitarian and development challenges.
Kazakh officials described the center as a step toward advancing sustainable development goals and strengthening regional cooperation across Central Asia and Afghanistan.
