A work in progress for UN Security Council seat

THE country continues to move towards candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

It will be contesting, for the first time, for the two-year non-permanent seat, and will be pitted against Thailand from the Asia-Pacific region for the years 2017 and 2018. It is believed Kazakhstan stands a good chance as this is its first attempt. The issues of non-proliferation, energy, water and food security will be at the forefront of Kazakhstan's candidacy. The country's active involvement in its sustainable development and millennium development goals should also put it in good stead.

Since joining the UN in 1992, Kazakhstan has been sponsoring and co-sponsoring resolutions related to nuclear disarmament, addressing consequences of the nuclear tests, protection of populations of environmentally vulnerable regions, and the rapprochement between cultures.