University of Padova International Conference Keynote Speaker: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov of Kazakhstan was appointed OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) in 2020. The role of the HCNM is focused primarily on addressing the short term triggers of inter-ethnic conflict tensions or conflicts and the long term structural concerns. In assessing the commitments and respect of international norms by a participating State, the High Commissioner will provide technical aid and recommendations to the interested party. By publishing Recommendations and Guidelines that are useful to tackle common challenges and provide best practice standards, the HCNM provides structural support when tensions involving national minorities are detected.

Amb. Abdrakhmanov joined the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 and has served in a number of key positions since. Amb. Abdrakhmanov served as Foreign Minister (2016-2018), Kazakhstan Permanent Representative to the UN (2013-2016) and represented Kazakhstan in the UN Security Council between 2017 and 2018.

The current HCNM served before as Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE (2017-2013) and also Chaired the OSCE Permanent Council in 2010.

Amb. Abdrakhmanov will take part in the Plenary Round Table in the International Conference organized by the Human Rights Centre “The Consequences of War and their Interdependence: Bringing HUman Security Back to the Political Agenda” that will take place on the 14th and 15th of November 2022.

For more information about the Conference’s Programme

Registration form to attend the International Conference is available here