LocationsUNDP, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development and KazAID signed a statement of intent to advance inclusive digital transformation in Central Asia
October 13, 2023
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID), signed a Statement of Intent today. This collaboration seeks to advance inclusive digital transformation, bolster innovation, and ensure knowledge exchange, grounded in the universal principle of "leaving no one behind".
Highlighting the significance of this partnership, Asset Turyssov, Vice-Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan stated:
“We have fostered a strong partnership with UNDP to harness the potential of digital solutions to achieve the SDGs. Together, we have contributed to Kazakhstan's digital transformation journey, with a highlight being the Digital Family Card initiative, which we proudly presented during the SDG Digital Day at the UN HQs. Kazakhstan is dedicated to sharing its digital journey with other nations, and we are confident that our collaboration with UNDP and KazAID will facilitate regional cooperation in digital transformation.”
Utilizing its comprehensive network, UNDP Kazakhstan, with the backing of its dedicated team at the Chief Digital Office, is poised to aid the sharing of Kazakhstan's digital journey, further stimulating regional collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.
The central objective of this trilateral cooperation is to elevate Kazakhstan’s successful government technology (govtech) solutions on a regional scale.
"Our mission is not only about providing technical assistance but also about coordinating the efforts of interested parties aimed at solving specific regional issues in Central Asia,"said Arken Arystanov, Chair of the Board of Kazakhstan Agency of International Development.
This mission harmonizes with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's State of the Nation Address “Economic course of a Just Kazakhstan”, where he emphasizes the goal to boost the export of digital industry services and goods and projected that by the end of this year, the export volume might reach $500 million, indicating a promising upward trajectory.
UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022–2025 underscores the empowering role of digital technology, identifying it as a pivotal driver towards the realization of the SDGs. Reflecting on the partnership, Sukhrob Khojimatov, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, shared:
“Our guiding principle is to use digital technology as an inclusive force for human and institutional development. We firmly believe that Kazakhstan can act as a regional catalyst for leveraging government digital solutions to drive change, and this partnership exemplifies the importance of sharing digital expertise to facilitate cross-country knowledge exchange”.
This collaboration is a testament to the shared goals of UNDP, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, and KazAID. Beyond embracing technological advancements, the parties are focused on ensuring broad benefits from this transformation for all individuals.
In Kazakhstan, UNDP harnesses the digital to amplify development outcomes across all portfolios and thematic areas of work. The spectrum is wide-ranging and transformational: from the Digital Family Card and upgrading IT staff to accelerating digital transformation in the public sector, to introducing satellite telemetry for wildlife monitoring and closing the digital gender gap in the monotowns of Kazakhstan. Through all these innovative journeys UNDP helps the country to build an inclusive and sustainable digital society.
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