Republic of Kazakhstan

Positions for the General Assembly Plenary

I. Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites in Conflict Zones UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stated that, “Weapons are not enough to defeat violent extremism. Building peace requires culture also; it requires education, prevention, and the transmission of heritage.” While the protection of cultural sites is an import initiative in conflict zones, this initiative should be considered secondary in respects to protection of life and from abuses of human rights. This by no means should depreciate the value that cultural sites have in relation to the identity of a group of people. According to mission of the UNESCO, one of their objectives is to ensure the protection of natural and cultural heritage. Having five UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as numerous culturally important artifacts, the Republic of Kazakhstan has experience in both the protection and use of these culturally important sites. Internationally, Kazakhstan has recently voted in support of S/RES/2347(2017), which reaffirmed many of the UN’s condemnation of trade with terrorist groups as well as emphasizing to other member states the importance of member states assuming responsibility of protecting cultural sites within their countries. This resolution also advocates for member states to adopt the convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed conflict (1954). In accordance to the S/RES/2199(2015), the Security Council reaffirmed a long-standing history of denunciation on the destruction of cultural sites in conflict zones and subsequent trade of religious and cultural artifacts. Nationally, Kazakhstan has implemented legislation, The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 1499-XII, that sets forth legislation that protects cultural heritage sites as well as implementing legal actions in response to persons found guilty of violations to the legislation. In regard to aforementioned statements, Kazakhstan seeks to illuminate past resolutions pertaining to the project and as a result would suggest that new resolutions on the matter would be unnecessary. Kazakhstan, implores the international community to adhere to the resolutions brought forth by the UNESCO Director-General and subsequently voted upon unanimously by the Security Council. To that end, Kazakhstan believes that the Security Council’s resolution focusing on the protection of cultural heritage sites should revisit the issue in the following session. This would allow the council to revisit and review the progress; adding language as necessary.

II. Addressing the Global Economic Effects of Natural Disasters

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke recently about the increase of natural disasters occurring around the world. As he mentioned, since 1970 the amount of documented natural disasters has almost quadrupled. Natural disasters effect every nation, though the risk for certain nations has shown to be greater than the risk for others, as outlined in the World Risk Report by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). The World Economic Forum (WEF), a nonprofit Swiss foundation, conducts a Global Risk Report every year. Extreme weather events and natural disasters are the two greatest global threats this year, in terms of likelihood and impact combined. Causes for extreme weather events include rising urbanization and environment degradation through natural and anthropogenic origins, which lead to a rapidly changing climate. These disasters directly influence the economic infrastructure of nations, as well as those who engage in business and trade with those nations. The theory of creative destruction is the concept that destruction increases productivity through development and employment of new technologies, and therefore will have a positive impact on the gross domestic product (GDP) of a nation. Though a positive correlation between disaster frequency and GDP has been shown, GDP is not a direct indicator of economic efficiency. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) international natural disasters have caused economic losses of 250 – 300 billion USD per year. The economies most impacted by natural disasters are those in lesser-developed and developing nations. The Republic of Kazakhstan is an active member state of UNISDR and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). We recommend continuing with the 4 priorities outlined in the Sendai Framework, as endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has applied the idea of clusters to promote existing UN agencies to collaborate with non-UN bodies, such as non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), when assisting disaster-affected nations. These clusters focus on natural disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction. Disaster risk mitigation and preparedness are vital to all nations and should be an immediate focus of short-term investments. Short-term focus should also be placed on facilitating efficient response, relief, and reconstruction efforts in nations of need. Resolution A/RES/56/195 passed in 2002 reinforced the importance of disaster preparedness and continued the observance of International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. Resolution A/RES/60/195 was passed after the World Conference on Disaster Reduction and the Hyogo Declaration in 2005. The resulting Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) was a ten-year plan to promote disaster resilience. The Republic of Kazakhstan fully supported the HFA and worked to progress national goals, such as the creation of a strategic development plan, national security strategy, and action plans to implement these strategies. On regional and local levels, policies were implemented to coordinate with seismologist from neighboring nations in the event of earthquakes near the border. Geological hazards were also monitored at multiple areas of interest across the nation. Our methods are often developed in coordination with a local government official and the National Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan. Civilian response training, hazard maps, and evacuation routes were created with the help of The European Commission Humanitarian Aid department’s Disaster Preparedness Programme (DIPECHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). DIPECHO focuses on providing this type of aid specifically for member nations in disaster-prone regions. These short-term solutions are practical for all member nations to develop and implement. The global economic effects of natural disasters can only be mitigated through long term mindful changes in human activities. These changes must be accompanied by significant economic contributions to validate such action to many nations. This type of change has already started to boost economies in nations willing to invest in the new technology being developed. These new technologies will help facilitate nations into a changing, more sustainable world. The Republic of Kazakhstan supports and promotes the inevitable transition to alternative energy through the advancement of technology, as we have shown through participating in events such as Expo 2017, which was held in our capital city of Astana. We are also leading advocates of nuclear energy, through the development of the low enriched uranium (LEU) bank, sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As the largest landlocked nation in the world, we understand the interconnection of economies in an increasingly globalized society. As a nation frequently effected by flooding due to rising temperatures, we also emphasize the need for a more sustainable future to mitigate long-term climate change. Regionally, nationally, and internationally, the Republic of Kazakhstan will continue to be a global leader and proponent in the advancement of sustainable technology, the emergence of the green economy, and innovative disaster risk reduction strategies.