BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept.15
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
The economic slowdown in Kazakhstan caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may pose risks to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura told Trend.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is more than a health crisis and it has not spared anyone in the country from being affected by this pandemic.
“As in the rest of the world, the economic slowdown in Kazakhstan caused by the pandemic may pose risks to achieving the SDGs and may affect implementation of the Cooperation Framework. The UN system in Kazakhstan’s consolidated response to these evolving demands will be pursued through the UN’s COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response and Recovery Support Plan. This plan is based on the UN’s ‘global framework’ for post COVID-19 socio-economic response. It also is fully compatible with the Cooperation Framework, as both aim to put people at the center of development,” Shimomura said.
Talking long-term affects of COVID-related situation for Kazakhstan, Shimomura said that the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging test for society.
“A test that we can only pass if we are all united. And if we manage the recovery process right, we can better achieve the sustainable development goals and that creates a more resilient country that is more resilient against future challenges. The UN system stands in solidarity with the people of Kazakhstan and we will do our best to overcome this difficult moment,” Shimomura said.
Shimomura added that putting people at the center of political and economic reforms means a human rights-based approach to development is needed.
“By respecting human rights in this time of crisis, we will build more effective and inclusive solutions for the emergency of today and the recovery for tomorrow. We believe that the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs present the best game plan to “build back better”, with their inter-connected nature and focus on the principle of leaving no one behind. No one can achieve these goals alone unless we elevate our partnerships to another level,” Shimomura said.
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