Kazakhstan Contributing Substantially to Advancement of Gender Equality, According to EU Correspondent
Kazakhstan Achieves Diplomatic Milestone with PACE's Support for Gender and Humanitarian Initiatives
ASTANA - Kazakhstan's commitment to gender and humanitarian initiatives has received a significant boost, as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a declaration on April 10 in support of these initiatives. The declaration marks a major diplomatic achievement, highlighting international backing for the establishment of the United Nations Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Almaty and expanded educational opportunities for Afghan women in Central Asia.
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The declaration, signed by 21 representatives of national parliaments from 12 PACE member states, received unanimous support from all five political groups of the Council of Europe, signifying broad international solidarity toward the Kazakh initiative. PACE deputies emphasized the declaration's importance as a key platform for coordinating efforts for sustainable development in the region.
The declaration warmly welcomes a joint initiative to provide educational opportunities to Afghan women in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. By 2027, more than 100 women from Afghanistan are expected to receive academic and professional degrees from universities in Central Asia.
PACE Deputy from Spain, Laura Castel, underlined the importance of the adopted declaration and the creation of the UN Regional Center in Almaty. She stated that the center will serve as a key platform for coordinating efforts on sustainable development, particularly given the challenging circumstances in Afghanistan. The center's role in promoting stability and progress in the region will be strengthened by the support of Council of Europe member states. Special attention is given to gender equality, which is of crucial importance for Afghanistan, where women's rights are under threat.
The declaration calls on the member states of the Council of Europe to support Kazakhstan's humanitarian initiatives in Central Asia and assist the countries of the region in their efforts regarding Afghanistan. The adoption of this declaration in PACE demonstrates the growing international recognition of Kazakhstan's role in promoting sustainable development and gender equality in Central Asia, as well as its commitment to supporting Afghan women. The UN Regional Center in Almaty is anticipated to become an important tool for implementing these initiatives and strengthening multilateral cooperation in the region.
Relevant Enrichment Data:
- The UN Regional Center for SDGs in Almaty, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly, aims to be a key platform for coordinating efforts on sustainable development across Central Asia and Afghanistan, with a focus on addressing the region’s security and humanitarian challenges.
- The center's initiatives are designed to strengthen the role of countries like Kazakhstan in providing educational opportunities for Afghan women, fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and mobilizing resources for sustainable development and women’s empowerment in the region.
- By addressing both sustainable development and gender equality, the center seeks to promote stability and progress in Central Asia and Afghanistan, making it a crucial hub for international and regional collaboration.
The declaration, in support of Kazakhstan's initiatives, highlights the importance of education and self-development, particularly for women in Central Asia, as it welcomes a joint initiative to provide academic and professional opportunities for over 100 Afghan women by 2027. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) also emphasizes the role of science, as the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Almaty will serve as a key platform for coordinating efforts for sustainable development in health-and-wellness, particularly given the challenging circumstances in Afghanistan.
