AKIPRESS.COM - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Kazakh Foreign Ministry recently signed a cooperation plan for 2016-2020 to improve the welfare of children in Kazakhstan, reports The Astana Times.

The plan will help implement the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child provisions.

“This is a very important step for both sides. The five-year plan of cooperation defines realistic and achievable results that will contribute to national priorities, in particular, Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy that highlights principles of inclusiveness, social policy, justice and protection of children’s rights. Due to joining forces in the interests of children in Kazakhstan, we are able to achieve a lot,” emphasised Yuri Oksamitniy, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan.

Deputy Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev thanked UNICEF for its efforts in preventing violence against children, reducing child mortality and teenage suicide as well as for the creation of an inclusive society and the development of juvenile justice. “Children are an integral part of our country; everything has been done for the future of our nation,” said Ashikbayev.

Oksamitniy noted that the Kazakh government provides significant support to UNICEF to improve the welfare of children and takes the initiative in dealing with their issues. Kazakhstan has followed international best practices in the implementation of children’s rights and has established the institution of Ombudsman for Children.

UNICEF supports the government in the piloting of several local and national projects. An example is the de-institutionalisation of traditional style orphanages. Bringing a child-friendly concept to the government’s budgeting system is another way UNICEF is helping secure a better future for children.

The organisation in Kazakhstan is focused on Child Health and Development; Child Protection; Young People’s Health and Development; HIV/AIDS; Social Policy Development and Participatory Governance.