On June 6, 2023, a regional meeting of the Central Asian members of the ECPAT International network on the prevention and protection of children from sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons was held in Tashkent. The event brought together representatives of government agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

On 31 May, 2023 UNHCR Central Asia and Kazakhstan organized a training for NGO partners in Kazakhstan. The main objective of the training was to train UNHCR partners in Kazakhstan on procurement guidelines, PSEAs (Protection, Assistance, Expertise and Regulations) and the Code of Conduct. Specific issues and recommendations identified during project monitoring were also addressed.

On 30 May 2023a high-level roundtable on the eradication of statelessness in Central Asia was held in Almaty to make Central Asia the first sub-region to successfully address the issue.

The roundtable, organized by UNHCR in Central Asia, brought together government officials and representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as national and international experts to share good practices and experiences in addressing statelessness. An important part of the discussion was the commitments related to statelessness in the upcoming Global Refugee Forum (GRF) 2023.

We are pleased to present you the project "Empowerment of women in the context of migration to participate in the labor market", supported by IOM in Kazakhstan,from May 25, 2023 in which the staff of NGO "Sana Sezim" provides support to women entrepreneurs who are internal and external migrants.

In order to provide further support and protection of their rights and to provide business training, NGO "Sana Sezim" and our beneficiaries entered into a memorandum of cooperation. This is an important step forward, which is designed to promote the business development of migrant women.

The deputies of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan discussed the problem of human trafficking at a meeting held on May 23, 2023.

During the meeting the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Judiciary and Law Enforcement, Andrey Lukin, noted that the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pays close attention to combating human trafficking. During the meeting senators also noted gaps in existing legislation.

We are happy to share important news with you! NGO "Sana Sezim" is a member of the Coalition of NGOs of independent countries "Migration and Development". Our goal is to establish partnerships and create effective mechanisms to support migrants and their families.

In the framework of this cooperation a series of webinars are planned which is on migration issues for specialists of public and state organizations, as well as for all those who provide support and services to migrants and their families, including minor children. This will be a great opportunity to share experiences and expand knowledge.

On May 17-18, 2023 within the framework of the “Safe Migration in Central Asia (SMICA)” project a working group met in Almaty. The event brought together researchers, university workers, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations that work on climate change, migration, and anti-trafficking issues.

At the meeting, participants discussed the role of climate change in increasing migration and the risks of human trafficking. There were also reports and presentations on climate risks in the region, with a special focus on a project to reduce vulnerability to human trafficking caused by climate change. The event produced a working group strategy and plan for future action.

On May 12, 2023 diplomats of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan met with representatives of NGO "Sana Sezim" and NGO "Rodnik" to discuss important issues of assistance to citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition, perspective plans and prospects for further cooperation and collaboration within the framework of cooperation were discussed.

We are sure that thanks to such cooperation we can solve many important tasks and provide support to people who need help. We thank the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for cooperation and for the warm welcome.

On May 11, 2023 at the forum on combating trafficking in persons, the draft law "On Trafficking in Persons," developed on behalf of President Tokayev, was presented. This draft law consists of 6 chapters and 22 articles, includes a new conceptual apparatus based on international experience and obligations, clearly defines authorized state bodies, the role of NGOs and the rights of victims, including minors.