The UNICEF Zhastary hub will be created in KazNU

The international youth forum "Almaty Youth Forum 2026: Central Asia for Sustainable Development" has started its work in Almaty.

The event is jointly organized by the Akimat of Almaty, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan and the front office of Almaty Volunteers.

The program of the two–day forum covers six main thematic areas, from combating climate change to digital literacy and the use of artificial intelligence.

The event was attended by representatives of the city akimat and government agencies, heads of universities, foreign experts, scientists, young leaders and students. Within the framework of the forum, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University signed a memorandum of cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund. In accordance with the document, the UNICEF Zhastary hub will be established on the basis of the higher educational institution. The center will become a platform for the development of youth and volunteer initiatives, as well as the implementation of projects in the field of sustainable development.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of KazNU Alina Galeyeva noted: "For us, the opening of the UNICEF Zhastary Hub is an investment in the development of youth leadership. We want the university to be not only a place of professional training, but also a space where initiatives are born that bring real benefits to society".

Speaking at the forum, UNICEF representative in Kazakhstan, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar stressed the importance of such initiatives. "The youth of Central Asia have great potential to solve the complex social problems of our time. By supporting platforms such as the Almaty Youth Forum, we strive to strengthen regional cooperation, as well as create opportunities for young people to develop their ideas and realize their potential as leaders of positive change",- said Rashed Mustafa Sarwar.

Aziz Kazhenbek, Head of the Almaty City Youth Policy Department, noted: "Today it is especially important to create a space for young people where ideas turn into concrete projects, and initiatives receive support from the state, international organizations and business. The Almaty Youth Forum is becoming just such a platform, uniting the youth of Kazakhstan and Central Asia around the common values of sustainable development and volunteerism".

The program of the event includes high–level panel discussions, workshops, motivational meetings with successful people, as well as an exhibition of 29 projects selected based on the results of the republican youth competition.

Press-service of Al-FArabi Kazakh National University