This year Kazakhstan is marking the 25th anniversary of cooperation with the United Nations. In 1992 the country as well as other countries from Central Asia joined the UN and, thus, received worldwide recognition. In order to mark this date the international student conference “UN Model – New Silk Way-2017” was held on 28th April at the al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Delegates from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, as well as guests from Italy, France and the United States came to take part.

The International Student Conference “UN Model – New Silk Way” is the largest simulation of the UN work in Central Asia. The UN model provides an opportunity for students to practice and acquire diplomatic, leadership, speaking and language skills, and also serves as a network platform for young leaders. The international conference is held with the support of the US Consulate General and the UN Public Information Department on the basis of the Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi.

Representatives of the United Nations as well as UN agencies: UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, OCHA were invited to the plenary session. Also Administration of Almaty akimat, representatives of the Fund of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of Nations and KazNU named after al-Farabi took part in it. Representatives of the MFA of the RK and the diplomatic corps of Kazakhstan, ambassadors and consuls of the USA, Germany, France, Russia, India, Italy, Afghanistan, Hungary and other countries took part in the conference.

At the opening ceremony the rector of the University Galymkair Mutanov noted the importance of holding this event in KazNU. He empasised that it should be reminded that the initiative “Model UN-New Silk Way” showed the Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi in autumn 2013, as a national and regional center to unite all students and stakeholders who are interested in the work of the UN system and sustainable development as the global agenda as well as to create an international platform for discussion and resolution of issues related to sustainable development.

Participating students from foreign countries also expressed their gratitude to the organizers of the event. “The youngsters from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are very similar. For example, they are all very open, hospitable and very cheerful. Therefore, I’m confident that I quickly got used to Kazakhstan”, – said a student from the Kyrgyz-Turkish University “Manas”, that participated for the first time in this conference.

During two days of the conference, professional trainers conducted a training seminar in Russian and in English languages for participants in the directions: UN Security Council – “Drug Trafficking as a Threat to Security in Central Asia”, UN General Assembly – “Global Migration as the reflection of employment challenges as well as other (SDG-4, SDG-8), UN Human Rights Council – “Modern Slavery and the Issue of Forced Labor (SDG-10)”, UNESCO – “Freedom and Influence of the Homeland Self-awareness of the People (SDG-16)”, Environmental Assembly – Pollution in Central Asia (SDG-13, SDG-14, SDG-15) “, International Court of Justice -” Legal Regulation of Cyberspace (SDG-16) “. Guests had the opportunity to visit the sights of Almaty. The conference lasted until April 30.

Press Centre

KazNU named after al-Farabi