Bulat Utemuratov Foundation and GAAC to Establish Regional Autism Center for Central Asia

The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation will become a regional partner of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition (GAAC) and will establish an operational hub for Central Asian and South Caucasus countries. The new platform aims to consolidate expertise from international and regional organizations to develop systemic support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The center's primary objective is to adapt and implement international best practices in line with the specific characteristics of countries within the region. It will bring together specialists, relevant organizations, and government representatives to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote broader access to evidence-based approaches and research.

GAAC was established in 2025 at United Nations headquarters in New York, with participation from Qatar Foundation, Autism Speaks, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation was a founding member of the coalition. The creation of the regional center marks the next phase of the foundation's collaboration with GAAC.

The foundation will leverage its extensive experience from the "Autism. One World for All" program, under which 13 Asyl Miras autism centers operate in 12 cities across Kazakhstan, providing support to over 17,500 children with ASD.