WNAM REPORT: Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, addressed the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the press reported.
In his speech, Murat Nurtleu emphasized that the current session is taking place at a critical moment when the global security system is on the brink of collapse. “Dozens of countries are gripped by conflict and instability, claiming many thousands of lives, while entire continents are affected by the climate crisis”, he noted.
The Kazakh Foreign Minister recalled the need to implement the initiative “World Unity for a Just Peace and Harmony”, proposed by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the previous session of the UN General Assembly. He called for the active involvement of middle powers in addressing global challenges: “The voices of Middle Powers and developing nations are vital in bridging divides and nurturing a more effective international security architecture”.
In his speech, the Kazakh diplomat paid special attention to nuclear security issues. “The escalating rhetoric of nuclear threats requires strict compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by all nuclear powers,” the Minister emphasized.
Speaking about climate challenges, Murat Nurtleu called on developed countries and international financial institutions to assist in providing green technologies and concessional financing to low- and middle-income countries in line with the Paris Agreement.
Kazakhstan, according to the Minister, intends to contribute by planning the Regional Climate Summit in 2026.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that within the framework of the reforms carried out by the Head of State to build a “Just Kazakhstan”, the death penalty has been abolished in our country, responsibility for violence against children and women has been strengthened, a zero-tolerance policy against torture has been pursued and national preventive mechanisms have been strengthened.
In this context, the Foreign Minister informed about the initiative of Kazakhstan together with other countries of Central Asia and Mongolia to become the first region free of the death penalty.
In the context of approaching the deadline for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as strengthening the coordination of UN agencies in the region, the Minister called on the UN member states to support the initiative of Kazakhstan to establish the UN Regional Centre on Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
As the largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan actively promotes the interests of this group of states. “Despite significant strides, we are still far from implementing the Vienna Programme of Action. Limited opportunities to develop trade and transportation corridors increase our vulnerability by escalating the debt burden and choking off investment,” the minister said. Kazakhstan has already become a key transit hub between Asia and Europe and plans to enhance synergies with the Belt and Road projects, North-South and Trans-Caspian International Transport Route corridors to further strengthen its position.
Murat Nurtleu emphasized the importance of digital transformation: “The Digital Agenda 2030 requires equal access to technology. The development of AI poses new challenges, including cyber threats and threats to data security”. The Minister suggested strengthening the role of the UN in these processes, noting that the establishment of a UN AI Office to develop ethical standards is a timely decision.
In conclusion, the Kazakh Foreign Minister expressed hope that the Future Summit and the current session of the UN General Assembly will be important steps towards a brighter, more inclusive and secure future for all generations: “Let these events pave the way for transformation for our common future”.
