A newly launched regional operations center in Central Asia and the South Caucasus aims to bring coordinated, evidence-based autism support to underserved populations across the region.
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has partnered with the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition to establish the hub, which will adapt international best practices and research to the specific needs of countries in the region. The center addresses a critical infrastructure gap: systematic support networks for autistic individuals and families in areas where services remain fragmented or unavailable.
The partnership builds on existing momentum. The Global Autism Advocacy Coalition was established in 2025 at United Nations headquarters in New York with backing from Qatar Foundation, Autism Speaks, the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, a founding member, has already demonstrated what coordinated regional support can achieve.
In Kazakhstan, the foundation operates 13 Asyl Miras autism centers across 12 cities, serving more than 17,500 children with autism spectrum disorder. The "Autism. One World for All" program model combines early diagnostic and intervention services, specialist training and innovative support models — a combination that research shows yields better developmental outcomes when implemented comprehensively.
"For sustainable development of support systems for people with autism, proven solutions alone are insufficient," said Almaz Sharman, chairman of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation's board, speaking at the UN General Assembly in September 2026. "It is equally important to create conditions for adaptation and implementation according to national and regional contexts."
The regional center will convene specialists, relevant organizations and government representatives to facilitate knowledge exchange and expand access to evidence-based approaches tailored to regional characteristics. The goal is to move beyond isolated interventions toward systemic change.
Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, said knowledge developed within Kazakhstan's autism support ecosystem has broader value. "In recent years, Kazakhstan has accumulated significant practical experience in supporting children with autism and their families, largely through specialists at the Asyl Miras centers," Karbozova said. "For us, it is important that knowledge gained in Kazakhstan becomes part of international dialogue."
Autism spectrum disorder crosses all demographic lines, but how societies identify, diagnose and support autistic individuals varies widely based on healthcare infrastructure, educational systems, cultural attitudes and resource availability. Central Asian and South Caucasus nations face particular challenges: limited specialist training pipelines, uneven access to diagnostic services and varying levels of public awareness about autism.
The center's emphasis on diagnostic and early intervention services is significant. Research across multiple countries demonstrates that early identification and appropriate interventions during critical developmental windows can substantially improve long-term outcomes for autistic children. In many parts of the region, diagnosis often comes late — sometimes not until school age — meaning children miss interventions that could reshape their developmental trajectory.
The center will also address the specialist workforce gap. Kazakhstan's experience shows that building local capacity requires sustained investment in training. The Asyl Miras centers operate as training hubs, developing clinical skills and helping educators and healthcare workers understand autism through an evidence-based lens.
The center's inclusion of government representatives signals that this is an effort to integrate autism support into public health and education policy. Sustainable change requires institutional commitment and integration into healthcare and school systems.
The initiative reflects shifting global priorities. The UN Sustainable Development Goals emphasize inclusive education and health systems that serve vulnerable populations. This partnership represents recognition that evidence-based, culturally adapted support systems for autism constitute a legitimate development priority.
