PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT, KAZAKHSTAN, 2016-2020

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PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT, KAZAKHSTAN, 2016-2020
A review of the current United Nations Development 
Assistance Framework 2010-2015 (UNDAF), as part 
of the United Nations Country Situation Analysis (see 
also Section 1.3), identifies a variety of strengths, as 
well as continuing challenges. The current UNDAF 
has demonstrated a high level of partnership and the 
possibility of further initiatives to assist Kazakhstan in 
its development. Significant achievements have been 
noted across all three current priority areas (Improved 
Economic and Social Welfare, Environmental 
Sustainability, and Effective Governance). These 
encompass:
• 
A United Nations joint programme, involving four 
agencies
4
, to enhance human security in the former 
nuclear test site of Semipalatinsk. This has given 
rise to new joint programmes in Kyzylorda, on 
improving the quality of life through introducing 
innovative approaches in service delivery, including 
to the most vulnerable groups (six agencies
5
), 
and in Mangystau, on expanding opportunities 
for sustainable development and socio-economic 
modernization (seven agencies
6
).
• 
Establishment of the Kazakhstan-based Regional 
Civil Service Hub, with 29 participating countries.
• 
Health system strengthening, to address inequities, 
resulting in reduced child and maternal mortality, and 
reduced tuberculosis and HIV burden. A sharp decline 
in the rate of transmission of HIV from mother to child, 
from 9.5 per cent in 2006 to 1.8 per cent in 2014.
• 
Strengthening of policies and programmes to protect 
and promote women’s rights under the National 
Gender Equality Strategy.
• 
Expert assistance to national programmes on ‘green’ 
economy and environmental sustainability. The 
UNCT has helped advance the country’s policies and 
practices in conserving biodiversity, and combating 
land degradation, while introducing climate change 
adaptation within the agricultural sector. Based 
on evaluations of Global Environment Facility 
(GEF) projects, the UNCT has been recognized by 
national and local partners as being at the forefront 
of promoting energy-efficient technologies 
and sustainable transport solutions, through 
demonstration projects in energy-efficient housing, 
modern lighting and ‘green’ public transport 
options. The main lesson learned in this area is the 
necessity of transferring knowledge and capacities 
to national and local partners, both Government 
and non-Government, in order to achieve scaling-
up and sustainability. 
• 
Expert assistance and advocacy to modernize public 
services, through supporting public assessment 
of public administration efficiency, alongside 
modernization of the justice and legal systems by 
promoting alternative paths to administering justice, 
especially for vulnerable groups (for example, 
through mediation and legal aid). 
• 
Strengthening of policies and programmes to 
address the human rights of migrants, victims of 
trafficking and other vulnerable population groups, 
including asylum seekers, refugees and stateless 
persons.
Some key UNDAF targets are expected to remain by the 
end of the current UNDAF period, since 14 indicators 
(of 124) require further attention. In addition, 47 
indicators lack sufficient data (nearly 40 percent), 
indicating the need to look at information management 
and to reduce the number of indicators monitored. 
Key challenges in implementing the 2010-2015 
UNDAF relate mainly to monitoring and evaluation: 
the Results Matrix has been perceived as a ‘one-
off’ product necessary for programme planning and 
reporting, rather than as an essential day-to-day 
element of programme management. In addition, roles 
and responsibilities for UNDAF results monitoring and 
reporting have failed to be clearly identified, so have 
not become fully operational.
Under the PFD, the UNCT will institute several changes 
to its coordination mechanism, as have evolved over 
recent years. These particularly relate to improved joint 
programming, monitoring, evaluation and reporting. For 
example, the PFD Results and Resources Framework will 
be used as a tool for implementing respective UN agencies’ 
programmes, as well as for continuous and dynamic 
monitoring of the key evidence base, data and indicators. 
Kazakhstan’s authorities are taking on major responsibility 
and accountability for achieving PFD Outcomes as part 
of the partnership framework (see also Section 1.4); yet, 
the strategies and expected results of this PFD can only be 
achieved through mutual commitment by the Government, 
the United Nations, civil society and international partners. 
Management arrangements (see also Section IV) will 
ensure that focus areas and UNCT support for the 
achievement of PFD Outcomes are operationalized in a 
coherent way that: (1) enhances opportunities for joint 
programming and for complementarities between the 
UN and national and international actors; (2) reduces 
duplication; and (3) ensures convergence of support in 
targeted areas, focusing on vulnerable groups.
4  UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNV
5  UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, UNSECO and UN Women
6  UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, UNSECO, UN Women and UNHCR

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PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT, KAZAKHSTAN, 2016-2020
initiatives creating decent job opportunities – especially 
for vulnerable groups. 
Post-2015 national consultations have emphasized the 
need to continue efforts to achieve unmet MDGs: targets 
relating to health and environmental sustainability, 
poverty reduction, education and gender equality. 
Among the 2,000 representatives of Government, civil 
society, the private sector, trade unions, academia, 
young people, local communities and vulnerable 
groups who participated in consultations, there exists 
strong consensus that MDGs – and by extension, SDGs 
– remain highly relevant, especially in the growing 
quest to bridge inequality. The most commonly voiced 
challenges are environmental protection, health, and 
peace and security. Other areas strongly noted are 
infrastructure, the ‘green’ economy, employment, good 
governance, local development, education, culture, 
gender issues, and those relating to the well-being 
and professionalism of young people. Inclusive social 
development, equitable economic development, good 
governance, environmental sustainability, and peace 
and security are pillars covering a wide range of critical 
development challenges, reflecting the needs of various 
stakeholders.
In terms of progress toward MDGs, Kazakhstan has 
achieved and surpassed most of its nationally set MDG 
targets, notably in reducing overall poverty rates. Over 
the past five years, the country has made significant 
1.2. KAZAKHSTAN’S 
DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
Kazakhstan has been remarkably successful in 
managing its transition since 1991, with GDP per capita 
rising from US$1,468.7 (as recently as 1998) to nearly 
US$13,611.5 in 2013, resulting in the upper-middle-
income status also noted in Section 1.1. Much of this 
progress has derived from rich natural resources, as 
well as from a decade-long rise in oil prices, combined 
with prudent macro-economic management. 
However, social and regional disparities are widening, 
oil prices are softening, and there exists a need for 
more nuanced development policies. Kazakhstan 
has committed itself to high standards and legislative 
obligations concerning fundamental rights and 
freedoms: these will continue to need attention. 
In November 2014, the President of Kazakhstan 
introduced the new Nurly Zhol national economic 
policy, covering a period of three years (2015-2017). 
About US$3 billion is being allocated annually from the 
Sovereign Fund, for social and economic measures, 
aiming to minimize the risk of economic and financial 
downturn (already being felt in the region). The Nurly 
Zhol implementation plan directs funds towards public 
infrastructure projects and the development of small 
and medium-sized enterprises, as well as towards other