WNAM REPORT: In his first interview, Stephen O’Malley, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Kazakhstan, outlines his vision to build on the UN’s strong ties with Kazakhstan. As the UN approaches its 80th anniversary, he underscores the importance of working together to advance peace, development, and fundamental rights.
This is your first time in Kazakhstan. Could you tell us about the mission of your visit and your plans?
I’m here to serve as the United Nations Resolute Coordinator at INTERM. We’re in the process of changing over, and the most important thing I’m going to do is to work on the cooperation framework that exists between the government of Kazakhstan, the people of Kazakhstan, and the United Nations.
October 24 marks the day of the UN, the next year that day will also mark the 80th anniversary of the UN. What are your expectations for this year, especially given your appointment to Kazakhstan as a resident coordinator?
For the United Nations, even this year is an important year for us. We are marking, as you said, United Nations Day. We are really trying to draw attention to the importance of the values of the United Nations, to the strong partnership that exists between Kazakhstan and the United Nations, particularly in those most important areas in the Charter, the promotion of peace, of human development, and of human rights and dignity for all.
At the recent Astana Think Tank Forum, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, declared that it’s not acceptable for anyone to violate the rules of the UN. This statement also relates to the reforms that are currently being discussed. In your opinion, what can we expect from the reforms of the UN?
The challenge for us in the United Nations to continue, even in this difficult global environment, to find ways to promote peace, to use preventive diplomacy to reduce the amount of conflict, and then to really promote sustainable development. Through the sustainable development goals, but most notably climate change, with the very important meeting coming up in Azerbaijan, for example, and of course the promotion of human rights.
What can you tell in regard to the letter given to the UN by Türkiye? And what decision do you expect on this issue?
I haven’t seen the letter, I’ve only seen news reports, and that’s really something for the Secretary General to decide on how he will respond, what he will do with it.
Stephen O’Malley took the position of the UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in Kazakhstan on November 1.
