Low-income countries that have been experiencing significant economic growth should take a more prominent role. The country of Kazakhstan is an example in this region, accomplishing just that in Central Asia
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Countries are realigning their foreign aid contributions, shifting resources to address domestic concerns, leading to a reduction in funding for global development initiatives.
Struggling to stave off starvation. This is the situation in many countries, as the 2024 humanitarian aid appeal faces significant shortfalls, with funding from Western countries, including the largest donor, the United States, being put into question.
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The current global environment underscores the significance of partnerships that promote diversified and inclusive development.
More than 60 percent of the world’s economic growth is coming from developing countries, making them ideally suited to create a development agenda that is tailored to the specific needs and goals of the Global South. Their efforts can also bring new resources, fresh viewpoints, and targeted solutions that enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of international aid.
One of the most effective models of contemporary international cooperation for development is the triangular partnership. This approach promotes collaboration among traditional and emerging national development agencies, international organisations, in particular those within the United Nations system, and international financial institutions.
These collaborations are founded on agreements reached at high-level UN gatherings, such as the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action, which established a framework for promoting technical cooperation among developing nations, and the 2009 Nairobi Outcome Document, which highlighted the significance of South-South cooperation in achieving development objectives.
these initiatives facilitate targeted cooperation between and among countries of the global South and with other partners. In today’s interconnected world, such partnerships are vital for turning global commitments into tangible progress.
As assumed the role of a provider of official development assistance (ODA), emphasizing its involvement in Central Asia and Afghanistan. This is a key strategic commitment that supports regional advancement while furthering Kazakhstan’s foreign policy objectives, comprising regional cooperation and development.
ODA initiatives focus on areas like economic development, social progress, environmental sustainability, and regional stability. Central Asia’s position as a key trade and transit route between Asia and Europe makes its stability and development particularly crucial for China, the European Union, and the many parties that benefit from trade between the two continents.
By supporting regional development, Kazakhstan not only enhances the economic stability of its surrounding areas but also facilitates smoother trade transactions, promoting overall global economic integration.
In Central Asia, Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives are primarily implemented through collaborative partnerships involving traditional donor countries, international organisations and their regional partners. This collaborative framework also draws investments from industrialised countries, supporting projects focusing on technology transfer and industrial modernisation.
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the C5+1 U.S.-Central Asia diplomatic platform enhance regional cooperation and promote development partnerships.
The UN regional hub will act as a central platform to coordinate sustainable development activities across Central Asia and Afghanistan, providing a setting for the exchange of knowledge, the improvement of policies, and the implementation of projects focused on the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Besides, Kazakhstan joins the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. Kazakhstan’s efforts make it one of the key emerging donors, along with countries such as Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and South Africa, as it expands its regional and inter-regional development efforts.
Organizations such as the Astana Civil Service Hub and the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) play a role in promoting innovative partnerships under frameworks for South-South and triangular cooperation. KazAID, founded in 2020, is Kazakhstan’s ODA agency, operating under the foreign affairs ministry. Its objective is to support sustainable development through provision of technical assistance, capacity building and other types of assistance, mainly focusing on Central Asian countries.
In 2023, Kazakhstan expended a total of US$5 million in funds for humanitarian assistance to several countries, which included Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Egypt and Syria. The majority of the sum, exceeding half of the total, was used for delivering food aid to Afghanistan.
In 2022, Kazakhstan provided approximately $23.4 million in relief assistance to Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan and Tajikistan. Through targeted Official Development Assistance (ODA), Kazakhstan aims to contribute to regional development, stability and environmental sustainability in Central Asia.
As developed nations tighten their purse strings due to financial difficulties, developing and emerging countries must step up and support the global development system. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan is taking on this responsibility through the KazAID initiative. Our targeted assistance encourages regional stability, which in turn enhances trade and cooperation between Asia and Europe.
Looking to the future, other emerging economies will need to take on similar responsibilities within their regions to bridge the growing gap in development. By adopting a team-oriented and region-specific approach, emerging countries can strengthen the global development framework, promoting shared growth and stability in a more interconnected world.
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