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.

Kazakhstan is a member of almost all UN agencies, two regional commissions (UNECE and ESCAP), periodically elected a member of a number of the functional commissions of ECOSOC, as well as a member of the executive boards of Unicef, Unesco, UN-Women. From 2013 to 2015, Kazakhstan was a member of the Human Rights Council of the UN.

Kazakhstan pays particular attention to strengthening cooperation with the UN in the economy, ecology and social development, the progressive development of international law, respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and drug trafficking.

Its efforts towards global nuclear disarmament are well-recognised, being the only country that renounced the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal. It is also an active participant of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and supports its early entry into force. In December 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared Aug 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests under resolution 64/35. This was proposed by Kazakhstan.

Among other UN priorities, Kazakhstan is also active in the fight against terrorism. The nation has joined all 13 international conventions on universal counter-terrorism. This has even been acknowledged by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who noted Kazakhstan's contribution to regional and global security and development.

Kazakhstan maintains a strong commitment to the four key pillars of its bid for the UNSC seat: food security, water security, energy security and nuclear security.