H.E. Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan met with UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Petko Draganov in Almaty this past Wesnesday and thanked UNCTAD for its long-standing support to landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).
The meeting took place in the context of the 4th Meeting of Trade Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries, held on 12 September 2012 in Almaty.
The conversation focused on issues of interest to LLDCs, particularly the preparations for the comprehensive ten-year review conference of the Almaty Programme of Action, scheduled for 2014, and on the cooperation between UNCTAD and Kazakhstan.
Mr. Dragnov expressed his appreciation for Kazakhstan’s role in advancing the cause of the Group of LLDCs at the global level.
He also highlighted areas where UNCTAD could provide technical assistance to the country, including accession to the WTO and investment promotion, and expressed UNCTAD’s interest in recent Kazakh initiatives, such as the New Silk Road Initiative and the
G-Global Initiative which could link to UNCTAD’s Virtual Institute.
Minister Sagintayev emphasized the importance of UNCTAD’s work for his country, and said that since his country is hoping to join the WTO before long, Kazakhstan would need to adjust to new realities, in the process of which UNCTAD’s policy advice and technical assistance would be of particular value.
- Mr. Acharya, USG and High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS
- Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Mr. Dr. Nam Viyaketh, Minister of Industry and Commerce, LAO PDR
- Mr. Manuel Maria Caceres, Vice Minister of External Affairs and Economic Issues, Paraguay
- Ms. Valentine Rugwabiza, Deputy Director-General, WTO
