On August 3, 2025, the United Nations Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan was officially unveiled in Almaty, Kazakhstan. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev jointly attended the launch ceremony, promoting the Centre as a key hub for regional sustainable development.

In his address, Guterres emphasized that the world is facing multiple crises, including climate change, resource scarcity, and geopolitical tensions. He noted that Central Asia is particularly impacted by water shortages, frequent natural disasters, and trade uncertainty. The newly established Regional Centre will integrate the efforts of the United Nations, governments, and civil society to address challenges such as climate change, youth employment, and the digital divide. It will also support Afghanistan's pursuit of peace and sustainable development while safeguarding women's human rights.

Tokayev stated that the role of the United Nations is crucial in the face of geopolitical instability and climate security threats. The establishment of the Centre highlights the growing strategic importance of Central Asia and will serve as a core platform for deepening regional cooperation, enhancing economic resilience, and promoting innovative development.

The Centre stems from an initiative proposed by Tokayev in May 2023 and was formally approved by the UN General Assembly in March 2025, with its establishment in Almaty. (This article is from the official website of Seetao www.seetao.com. Reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited. Please indicate Seetao.com + original link when reprinting.) Seetao.com Infrastructure Engineering Column Editor/Wang Xia