The Governor of the Mangystau Region Meets with the UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan

Aktau, 11 July 2025 — Today, the Governor of the Mangystau Region, Nurdaulet Kilybay, held an official meeting with the Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar. During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation in child rights protection, youth policy development, sustainable development, and environmental protection.

The meeting aimed to outline cooperation prospects for the coming years and advance joint initiatives focused on improving the quality of life for children and young people in the region.

Dr. Sarwar acknowledged the strong coordination demonstrated by the Akimat during the implementation of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in the region, which enabled the collection of timely and unique data on child health, education, access to clean water, sanitation, and protection. This data will serve as a crucial foundation for evidence-based decision-making and effective social policy development.

Based on the analysis of the region’s socio-economic profile drawn from the MICS findings, UNICEF highlighted a positive trend across key indicators. The Mangystau Region ranks among the top five regions in Kazakhstan in terms of budget allocation for social sectors – education, health, and social protection. More than 40 per cent of the population is employed in small and medium-sized enterprises, making a significant contribution to the region’s economy. The rate of postnatal care coverage stands at 94.2 per cent, and life expectancy has increased to 75.8 years.

The region’s achievements in the health sector are especially noteworthy. According to the latest MICS data (2024), the Mangystau Region reported zero neonatal mortalities, a key indicator of the quality of prenatal and postnatal care. Additionally, the under-five mortality rate has decreased sixfold over the past decade. These results reflect the region’s strong progress in social development and its prioritization of maternal and child health.

The meeting also touched on initiatives to promote green skills and youth employment in environmental sectors, the advancement of environmental education, and the organization of volunteer-led activities. On 11 July, Aktau will host the first-ever UNICEF youth event in Kazakhstan focused on the role of volunteers in promoting child rights and environmental sustainability and will officially launch the UNICEF Volunteer School. As of today, 358 young volunteers from the region have registered to take part.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership and implementing joint efforts to support the sustainable development of the region and the well-being of children and youth.