By Assolya Mirmanova, PhD Candidate
Deputy Chairperson, Counterterrorism Committee NGO
Specialist in Radicalization and Security
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution to establish a UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Almaty, aimed at supporting the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan. This initiative, proposed by Kazakhstan, received strong international backing, with 152 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution.
The Centre will serve as a key international platform for coordinating efforts to achieve the SDGs in the region, facilitating knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and joint program implementation. Its primary functions will include assessing regional challenges, monitoring progress in sustainable development, and developing evidence-based solutions in close collaboration with governments, international organizations, businesses, and civil society.
This initiative reflects the growing recognition that sustainable development requires regional cooperation and tailored solutions. Central Asia faces unique environmental, economic, and social challenges, including climate change, water resource management, economic diversification, and social stability. By hosting this UN Regional Centre, Almaty will become a hub for international expertise, technical assistance, and policy innovation, helping countries in the region align their development strategies with global sustainability standards.
Additionally, the Centre will act as a bridge between local and global efforts, ensuring that the specific needs of Central Asian states and Afghanistan are integrated into the global SDG agenda. It will work to strengthen institutional capacities, promote inclusive economic growth, and foster cross-border cooperation, making sustainable development a practical and achievable goal for the region.
Why the Centre Matters for Central Asia
The establishment of the UN Regional Centre for SDGs in Almaty will provide a much-needed institutional framework to address the systemic challenges faced by Central Asian countries. These include climate change, water resource management, economic diversification, and social resilience—all of which require coordinated regional efforts and international expertise.
Central Asia is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, such as desertification, soil degradation, shrinking water reserves, and extreme weather events. The Centre will play a key role in monitoring environmental changes through satellite technologies and geospatial analytics, enabling more precise forecasting and early warning systems. Additionally, it will serve as a platform for developing regional climate adaptation strategies, promoting green technologies, and supporting the transition of agriculture to more sustainable practices.
Water scarcity and transboundary water resource management remain among the most pressing issues in the region, often causing diplomatic tensions. The Centre will facilitate scientific research and policy coordination, helping governments establish equitable water-sharing mechanisms and implement modern water conservation and irrigation technologies.
Economic diversification is another critical priority for the region, which still heavily depends on natural resource extraction. The Centre will provide policy recommendations and support programs aimed at developing green economies, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable urban development. By fostering innovation in transport infrastructure and renewable energy, it will contribute to the region’s long-term economic stability.
Furthermore, human capital development is central to ensuring sustainable progress, especially in a region with a predominantly young population. The Centre will assist in designing education programs, strengthening social protection measures, and promoting equal opportunities, ensuring that all segments of society can actively participate in and benefit from sustainable development efforts.
Why This Centre Matters for Kazakhstan
The establishment of the UN Regional Centre for SDGs in Almaty provides Kazakhstan with strategic advantages, reinforcing its role as a key regional actor in sustainable development and multilateral cooperation. This initiative aligns with both Kazakhstan’s national interests and the broader global agenda, positioning the country as a central hub for international dialogue and expertise in Central Asia.
First, the presence of a major UN centre in Almaty creates new opportunities for international funding, investments, and technical cooperation. As global financial support for development programs becomes increasingly competitive, having direct access to a UN-backed platform provides a strategic advantage for Kazakhstan’s experts and institutions. It also strengthens Almaty’s position as a regional hub for international organizations, boosting the city’s and the country’s economy. Ensuring non-politicized, evidence-based cooperation through this centre is particularly crucial, given the rapid spread of disinformation and polarized narratives on sensitive issues.
Second, the centre will be instrumental in addressing Kazakhstan’s environmental and climate-related challenges, including desertification, land degradation, and water scarcity. While Kazakhstan has already established a Ministry of Water Resources, integrating global expertise through UN-led initiatives will enhance long-term strategies for water management, particularly in cooperation with neighboring states. Given the growing risks associated with climate change and transboundary water disputes, the centre will provide the necessary scientific and policy-driven solutions to manage these resources effectively.
Third, the fragmented nature of regional cooperation in Central Asia has historically limited progress in areas such as environmental governance, food security, and sustainable resource management. By hosting this centre, Kazakhstan elevates regional engagement from ad hoc consultations to a structured, institutionalized framework, with the UN ensuring adherence to international standards and agreements. Despite varying geopolitical perspectives among regional powers, the UN remains a widely respected platform for neutral and constructive dialogue.
Fourth, Kazakhstan has consistently positioned itself as a champion of multilateral diplomacy, and the presence of this UN centre in Almaty further solidifies this reputation. It opens new channels for engagement with global institutions, expands Kazakhstan’s diplomatic influence, and integrates the country more deeply into global sustainable development efforts. Beyond high-profile initiatives, this also enables Kazakhstan to participate in critical, long-term policy discussions that may not always be visible to the general public but are essential for shaping international cooperation.
The decision to establish this centre reflects President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s strategic foresight in recognizing both global trends and regional challenges. Moreover, the centre creates tangible economic and investment opportunities, particularly in service-based industries that will support its operations.
Kazakhstan’s national priorities—such as the transition to a low-carbon economy, green technology development, infrastructure modernization, and social inclusion—are deeply interconnected with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative not only allows Kazakhstan to align with the global agenda but also to actively shape regional sustainability policies, ensuring that international principles are tailored to local realities.
In an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, Kazakhstan continues to pursue a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy. This initiative is a non-confrontational, universally beneficial project, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s commitment to constructive engagement rather than geopolitical divisions.
It is also important to highlight the diplomatic efforts behind this initiative. Securing 152 co-sponsors for the resolution at the UN General Assembly was not merely a procedural step—it was the outcome of extensive negotiations and meticulous diplomatic work by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry. This success underscores Kazakhstan’s ability to navigate complex multilateral processes, build consensus, and advance strategic interests on the global stage.
However, maintaining Kazakhstan’s international credibility requires a long-term commitment to humanitarian policies, particularly regarding migration and refugee issues. As instability persists in neighboring regions, Kazakhstan must proactively develop a comprehensive strategy to manage potential increases in refugee flows, prevent conflict-driven tensions, and uphold its reputation as a stable and reliable regional partner.
Hosting a UN regional centre is a privilege and a responsibility. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, Kazakhstan must ensure that its policies remain consistent with its commitments to sustainable development, humanitarian leadership, and regional stability.
Evolving Security Challenges: Why Kazakhstan Must Shift to a Preventive Approach
History has shown that migration crises do not become critical at the moment they begin, but rather when governments are unprepared to manage them effectively. Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, faces the potential for a significant increase in migration flows, driven by instability in Afghanistan, worsening climate conditions, and economic crises in neighboring states.
To prevent future instability, Kazakhstan must proactively develop mechanisms for refugee integration, ensuring temporary accommodation, access to education, employment, and healthcare. Without a structured approach, sudden migration surges could lead to social tensions, economic strain, and reputational risks on the international stage. Kazakhstan’s humanitarian response to migration will be a critical test of its policy maturity—missteps or inconsistent actions could quickly undermine the country’s growing international credibility. Therefore, migration should not be seen purely as a humanitarian obligation but as a strategic component of regional leadership. Stability and a strong international reputation take decades to build but can be lost in months, making a balanced, well-planned migration policy a necessity rather than an option.
Afghanistan remains a major source of security concerns for Kazakhstan and its Central Asian neighbors, presenting a complex mix of threats ranging from terrorism to economic and political instability. Given the deteriorating situation, there is a growing risk that Afghanistan could become a hub for terrorist organizations, directly affecting the region.
Our research, conducted for the UN Counterterrorism Office, has already confirmed that online propaganda from conflict zones is actively influencing Central Asia. While at the time of our study, military propaganda from Russia and Ukraine was a dominant concern, the spread of extremist narratives from Afghanistan is an emerging threat. Unlike Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan has so far avoided large-scale exposure to these risks, but this is only a temporary advantage. Several terrorist factions, alongside the Taliban, operate in Afghanistan, each with varying levels of influence but identical ambitions.
The methods of radicalization have evolved significantly. Previously, extremist recruitment relied on closed networks and direct personal contact, but today, the primary battleground is the digital space. Radical groups actively leverage social media and encrypted messaging platforms to target vulnerable individuals, particularly young people facing social and economic hardships. In Kazakhstan, cases of recruitment through Telegram channels and online forums have already been recorded. Despite the effective work of the National Security Committee (KNB RK), the country lacks a comprehensive system for monitoring and countering digital threats, particularly those linked to self-radicalization and lone-wolf terrorism.
Kazakhstan can no longer rely solely on traditional counterterrorism measures, which focus on identifying and “rehabilitating” individuals already involved in extremist networks. This approach creates a dangerous imbalance, failing to address the root cause: the recruitment of new supporters. A fundamental shift in strategy is required—prevention must become the top priority.
International experience demonstrates that national security is no longer the sole responsibility of law enforcement agencies. In countries such as the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, counter-extremism efforts are society-wide initiatives, involving schools, media, community organizations, and digital platforms. Kazakhstan must move in the same direction, creating early detection systems, strengthening civic resilience, and integrating counter-radicalization efforts into broader security and education policies.
We must accept a fundamental reality: the era of relative stability is over. We are now operating in a new security environment, where threats are more sophisticated, dynamic, and unpredictable. Kazakhstan’s future security depends on its ability to anticipate, adapt, and act before crises fully unfold.
Addressing these evolving threats requires not only government-led initiatives but also broad societal engagement. As researchers and representatives of a leading non-governmental organization (NGO), we are committed to strengthening civil society’s role in ensuring national security. One of our key efforts has been the promotion of media and information literacy from an early age, equipping young people with the critical thinking skills necessary to resist extremist narratives and disinformation.
Recognizing the urgency of preventive measures, we initiated the Consortium of NGOs on Preventing Radicalization, Extremism, and Terrorism, bringing together around 20 civil society organizations from across Kazakhstan. This collaborative network focuses on research, capacity-building, and public awareness efforts, particularly through training programs for local experts and outreach groups working in different regions of the country.
We understand that delayed action carries a real human cost. While our work contributes to building national resilience, it is only one part of a much larger effort. Kazakhstan, as a nation, requires stronger engagement from international experts, institutions, and policymakers to effectively address these complex challenges. Any initiative that enables cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange—such as the UN Regional Centre for SDGs in Almaty—should be fully supported as a vital step toward securing not only Kazakhstan’s stability but also that of the broader region.
