Fastest Dropping Maternal Mortality Rates Found in Kazakhstan Among Ten Nations
In a recent meeting of the Coordination Council for Sustainable Development, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumaniyazov, Kazakhstan presented its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Stephen O'Malley, noted that the document presented is a reflection of Kazakhstan's deep commitment to the UN's 2030 Agenda. The document will be presented at the High-Level Political Forum in New York in July of this year.
One of the notable achievements highlighted in the VNR is the significant decrease in maternal mortality. In 2024, there were no cases of maternal mortality registered in the Pavlodar, Mangystau, and North Kazakhstan regions. Kazakhstan is among the top ten countries with the fastest reduction in maternal mortality, as assessed by the WHO.
The rise in legal culture is leading to new demands on the judicial system, with society expecting further improvements. To ensure effective monitoring of the SDGs, national indicators have been updated, with a total of 200 indicators now in place.
Progress in gender equality is evident both at the state level and in the private sector. Large companies are implementing gender strategies and policies against harassment.
Kazakhstan's commitment to the SDGs extends beyond its borders, as evidenced by the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. This centre aims to foster regional cooperation, address pressing challenges such as climate change and youth unemployment, and support sustainable development efforts in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Since the presentation of the second VNR, significant progress has been made in strengthening the institutional foundations for implementing the SDGs in Kazakhstan. The Social Code has strengthened the foundations of social policy in Kazakhstan, according to civil society. Aseel Sarsenbayeva noted that the Government is implementing measures to support business and prepare personnel according to labor market demands.
The third VNR also places a special emphasis on the localization of SDGs - the transfer of global goals to the level of regions and local communities. Vice-Minister of National Economy Asan Darbaev reported on this, stating that the document actively involves civil society, scientific, and expert communities in its work.
Over the past 10 years, the maternal mortality rate has decreased to 10.1 cases per 100,000 live births in 2024. In 2023, a Parliamentary Commission was established to monitor the implementation of national goals and tasks in the field of sustainable development in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan's third VNR serves as a testament to the country's leadership in monitoring SDG progress and promoting transparency. As one of the few countries that conducts this review every three years, Kazakhstan continues to demonstrate its commitment to achieving the SDGs and creating a sustainable future for its citizens.
Sources: [1] Kazakhstan - Health Sector Progress: https://www.who.int/countries/kaz/health-systems/performance/monitoring/progress-towards-universal-health-coverage [2] United Nations Regional Centre for Sustainable Development: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/regional-centres/central-asia-and-afghanistan [3] Kazakhstan's Commitment to the SDGs: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/countryprofile/kazakhstan/ [4] Kazakhstan's Role in Regional Development: https://www.almaty.kz/en/news/kazakhstan-plays-a-key-role-in-regional-development/
Science plays a significant role in the reduction of maternal mortality, as demonstrated by Kazakhstan's success in decreasing cases of maternal mortality in certain regions. Furthermore, the health-and-wellness sector, specifically women's health, is an area where Kazakhstan has showcased remarkable progress.
The third VNR also underscores the importance of engaging the scientific and expert communities in the localization of SDGs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainable development in Kazakhstan.
