Turkestan on September 19 hosted the final meeting of the Coordinating Working Group for phase two of the European Union and United Nations Joint Program to support the states of Central Asia in reintegrating citizens who have returned from conflict zones. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan. The participants approved priorities for further cooperation and for integrating successful practices into national child-protection policies and programs.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Stanislav Vassilenko, noted that the successful completion of the second phase confirmed the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s partnership with UNICEF and the European Union. He emphasized the steady strengthening of the national child-rights protection system and Kazakhstan’s readiness to expand the exchange of best practices domestically and with international partners. The Ambassador recalled that Kazakhstan had returned more than 700 citizens, including 526 children, from conflict zones and provided them with comprehensive support for sustainable reintegration.
Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, Aaro Ylitalo, underlined that cooperation with UNICEF and the Government of Kazakhstan is aimed at creating a safe and enabling environment for children who have experienced trauma. According to him, tangible positive changes in their lives are already visible, confirming the significance of joint efforts to protect human rights and ensure children’s well-being.
UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, emphasized that Kazakhstan is building a sustainable, child-sensitive system: “Our shared task is to ensure that every child, regardless of past experience, receives continuous, quality support and the opportunity to realize his or her potential.”
