During the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held in Bangkok last week, all 52 member states adopted a resolution establishing the UN ESCAP Asia and Pacific Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development in Almaty. This has been reported by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development.
The new center will become ESCAP’s sixth regional institution, alongside existing specialized centers in Japan, China, South Korea, India, and Iran.
The Almaty-based center is expected to have a capacity of up to 130 staff, and be located in the UN Plaza building. The government of Kazakhstan will cover the institution’s operational and administrative costs for five years, with funding of up to $15 million.
It will operate as a neutral international platform under the auspices of the United Nations, aimed at identifying and disseminating best digital solutions from across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in public and social services.
As noted by Margulan Baimukhan, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to ESCAP, the adoption of the resolution marks the conclusion of a multilateral negotiation process that lasted more than five years.
The center is expected to contribute to bridging the digital divide across the region, with a particular focus on supporting least developed countries, landlocked countries, and small island developing states. In the context of rapid digital transformation, emphasis will be placed on developing inclusive mechanisms for the exchange of technologies and expertise, enabling countries to design solutions tailored to national contexts and ensuring equitable access to the benefits of digitalization.
For Kazakhstan, the establishment of the center is expected to create additional opportunities to attract advanced digital technologies, international expertise, and highly qualified professionals.
Strengthening Almaty’s role as a regional hub under the auspices of the United Nations is also expected to enhance international cooperation, promote partnerships with leading technology companies and development institutions, and reinforce the country’s position as a provider of digital solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.
The initiative may also support Kazakhstan’s export potential in IT services and the promotion of domestic digital solutions in international markets.
