On January 19, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met in Rome with the Executive Director of the UN World Food Program, Cindy McCain, to discuss global food security measures implemented by Kazakhstan and humanitarian aid to foreign countries, QazMonitor reports citing Akorda.
In 2023, Kazakhstan contributed $9.2 million in humanitarian aid to six countries. Due to the challenging situation in the Gaza Strip, Kazakhstan donated $1 million to the people of Palestine and delivered two shipments of humanitarian aid. Additionally, financial assistance was extended to Afghanistan, Turkiye, Pakistan, and other countries affected by natural disasters.
Tokayev drew special attention to the situation in Afghanistan, stressing that the international community must persist in its efforts to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the country.
Furthermore, the President informed Director McCain that work is underway to establish a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The center's activities will enhance UN inter-agency coordination in Central Asia to promote regional peace, security, and sustainable development.
At the end of the meeting, the Kazakh side invited Cindy McCain to participate in the upcoming annual Astana International Forum scheduled for June 13–14.
