OSCE Secretary General visits Kazakhstan

On 7-8 June 2023, the OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, undertook a significant visit to Kazakhstan. During her stay, she had productive meetings with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Speaker of Senate Maulen Ashimbayev, and Minister of Ecology and natural resources Zulfiya Suleimenova. These meetings were crucial in strengthening the ties between the OSCE and Kazakhstan, and focused on important topics like security, co-operation, and sustainable development.

In her speech to the plenary of the Astana International Forum, the Secretary General gave an overview of both the OSCE’s project work and its value as a political platform: "Despite geopolitical challenges, the OSCE continues to deliver real benefits every day – making a meaningful difference for our citizens, including here in Central Asia."

The Secretary General visited the OSCE Programme Office in Astana where she engaged in insightful discussions with the staff, exchanging valuable perspectives on regional security challenges and ways to enhance stability and cooperation.

In addition, the Secretary General held a constructive meeting with civil society representatives in Kazakhstan, including Erkindik Qanaty, Human Rights Consulting Group, Legal Media Center, and Fund for Development of Parliamentarism to discuss ongoing trends and topics in the field of strengthening democratic development and human rights in the country.