Kazakhstan Hosts Groundbreaking Roundtable on Central Asia’s Peacekeeping Role
KAZCENT Hosts Regional Roundtable on Central Asian Contribution to Peacekeeping Activities
The Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense (KAZCENT) recently organized the first regional roundtable on the contribution of Central Asian countries to peacekeeping activities. The event took place on May 31 in Almaty and brought together representatives from Tajikistan, the Kazakh Ministry of Defense, the UN staff, the UN Women’s Office, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local universities.
During the roundtable, participants engaged in discussions on various topics, including international humanitarian law, gender aspects, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on “Women, Peace, Security,” and the role of Central Asian countries in enhancing the UN’s role in regional security.
Herbert Lorett, a representative from the Department of Peace Operations at the UN headquarters in New York, commended Kazakhstan for its efforts in building cooperation with countries involved in peacekeeping operations. He emphasized the importance of Central Asian countries leveraging opportunities to participate in peacekeeping activities.
Colonel Bauyrzhan Nigmetullin, Chief of the KAZCENT, highlighted the event’s objective to foster partnerships in training, knowledge exchange, and experience sharing to further advance peacekeeping in the region. He expressed readiness to collaborate with Central Asian neighbors in preparing experts for UN missions and launching joint initiatives to strengthen the peacekeeping potential of the region.
Kazakhstan has been actively expanding its participation in UN peacekeeping operations, with its military personnel deployed to various missions in Nepal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Lebanon, the Western Sahara, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a significant milestone, Kazakhstan recently sent its first independent peacekeeping group to the Golan Heights as part of a UN mission, consisting of 139 military personnel tasked with maintaining ceasefire between conflicting parties.
On the occasion of UN Peacekeepers’ International Day observed on May 29, members of the Kazakh contingent shared their experiences and insights on serving as peacekeepers. The country’s commitment to peacekeeping efforts in collaboration with regional partners underscores its dedication to promoting stability and security in conflict-affected areas.
