President Tokayev takes part in UN Sustainable Development Goals summit

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the UN Summit on Sustainable Development Goals in New York. He stated that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is a national priority for Kazakhstan. The Head of State and Hungarian President Katalin Novak co-chaired the first session of the Leaders’ Dialogue. President Tokayev noted that today the country is actively investing in a sustainable future, 80 percent of the country’s state budget has been allocated for those purposes. Universal access to free education and healthcare has been ensured as well. Kazakhstan is also initiating the creation of a regional hub in the country on SDG for Central Asia and Afghanistan.

“It is necessary to strengthen the ‘One UN’ principle at the regional level to promote better synergy. Thus, we are initiating the establishment of the Regional Hub on SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Kazakhstan. It will ensure the effective coordination of UN project activities in the region,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to President Tokayev, in order to overcome global challenges and achieve a prosperous future for everyone, it is necessary to work together, since it is only through the unity of the global community that results can be achieved. In addition, the Head of State proposed to the Summit participants to revitalize the international financial architecture. It is the financial system that should promote equality for all countries, the Kazakh President stressed. It is necessary to allocate more funds to resolve issues in environment, education and health given that it is the climate, food and energy crises that pose a serious threat to sustainable development, President Tokayev emphasized.

“We must strengthen our international cooperation on technical support, scientific research and risk assessment under the UN’s leadership. The Sustainable Development Goals represent the path to a better world for all. We must come together and redouble our commitments. Kazakhstan will always remain a staunch advocate of a strong and effective UN role in sustainable development,” said the Kazakh President.