Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament at Geneva Conference
Kazakhstan Continues Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament at Conference on Disarmament
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu reiterated Kazakhstan’s dedication to nuclear disarmament as a top priority in its foreign policy at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Feb. 27. This was reported by the ministry’s press service.
Nurtleu emphasized the crucial role of the Conference on Disarmament as the primary multilateral platform for disarmament negotiations. He stressed the importance of disarmament discussions in promoting dialogue based on the United Nations (UN) Charter and international law in the current geopolitical context.
Kazakhstan announced its upcoming chairmanship in two multilateral forums: the Second Preparatory Committee of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the third meeting of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Additionally, Kazakhstan will host a meeting of representatives from all nuclear-weapon-free zones later this year.
The minister also highlighted the need to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention and called on delegates to collaborate on implementing Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to establish an International Agency for Biological Safety.
During the conference, Nurtleu met with Tatiana Valovaya, the Director-General of the UN Office in Geneva, to enhance cooperation on global agenda issues. Discussions included Kazakhstan’s initiatives in nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the creation of the International Agency for Biosafety and the Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Nurtleu expressed Kazakhstan’s appreciation for the UN Office’s support for events commemorating the International Day against Nuclear Tests on Aug. 29. He also met with the Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Gilbert Houngbo, discussing labor relations reforms in Kazakhstan and alignment with ILO standards.
Among other bilateral meetings, Nurtleu engaged with foreign ministers from Morocco, Palestine, Montenegro, Estonia, and the Netherlands to discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation and mutual support in international organizations. Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing labor rights, employment, and social protection legislation in line with ILO standards and expressed readiness to join the ILO chief’s Global Coalition for Social Justice initiative.
