Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu expressed Kazakhstan's keen interest in fostering a prosperous and harmonious region and advancing sustainable development across Central Asian nations. This sentiment was conveyed during his meeting with Kaha Imnadze, the recently appointed Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), as reported by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's press office.
During the meeting, the participants deliberated on the increasing significance of Central Asia, the prudent management of transboundary water resources in the area, the advancement of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the transportation and logistical capabilities of Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region, and the current state of affairs in Afghanistan.
They stressed the importance of preventive diplomacy in maintaining peace and security in the region. Nurtleu outlined Kazakhstan's foreign policy priorities and forthcoming chairmanship roles in various multilateral formats. Imnadze, who arrived in Kazakhstan as part of his tour to the Central Asian countries, lauded the long-standing partnership and trust between Kazakhstan and the UN, appreciating its commitment to multilateralism and its active position in regional cooperation.
He commended President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his comprehensive reforms geared towards advancing democratization, the rule of law, and fostering inclusive economic growth, while expressing hopes for continued prosperity in Kazakhstan. UNRCCA, founded in 2007 through the collaborative efforts of Central Asian governments, functions as a specialized political mission under the UN Department of Political Affairs and Peace-Building, with its headquarters situated in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The main goal of UNRCCA is to aid Central Asian nations in identifying and mitigating present and future threats to peace and security within the region, all the while fostering collaborations among both regional and international organizations.