Kazakhstan’s President welcomes UN Under-Secretary-General

Astana, 14 July 2023 (TDI): Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received the United Nations Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and Natalia Gherman Executive Director of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.

The President thanked the United Nations delegation for participating in the Central Asian Forum on Security and Cooperation, held in Astana.

The Forum’s theme is tagged “Asia in the Changing World: Agenda for the Future.”

Moreover, matters like Asia security, the interconnectedness of Eurasia and the Middle Corridor, global competition for innovation and technologies, artificial intelligence, and human capital were discussed.

Other speakers with Vladimir Voronkov include Terhi Hakala EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Narushige Michishita Vice President of the National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies of Japan, Mohammad Hassan Sheikh Al Islami Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In addition President of the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Mehran Kamrava Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University in Qatar, Head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, and many others.

President Tokayev noted the relevance of the participation of the UN delegation in such a forum given the current issues that drive the contemporary world.

Also Read: Central Asia and EU Leaders Agree on enhancing cooperation and address common challenges

Furthermore, the President appreciated the effort of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and extend his good wishes to him.

Meanwhile, Tokayev expressed Kazakhstan’s commitment to providing all-round support for the multifaceted activities of the UN.

The UN delegation also discussed issues of ensuring regional security and stability, countering terrorist threats with the Kazakhstan President.

Furthermore, Vladimir Voronkov emphasized the importance of holding the Security Forum in Astana, which has become a platform for ensuring dialogue and trust, and searching for common solutions.