Bulat Utemuratov Foundation and GAAC to Establish Regional Autism Hub for Central Asia and South Caucasus

The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation will become a regional partner of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition (GAAC), establishing a new hub focused on developing support systems for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

The hub's primary objective is to adapt and implement international best practices tailored to the specific contexts of countries within the region. It aims to unite specialists, relevant organizations, and government representatives to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote broader access to evidence-based approaches, research, and data.

GAAC was established in 2025 at United Nations headquarters, with the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation serving as a founding member. This regional hub represents an advancement in the Foundation's collaboration with GAAC, furthering the coalition's initiatives.

The regional model was presented by Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, in New York during the UN General Assembly in September 2026. The Foundation brings experience from its "Autism. One World for All" program, which supports over 17,500 children through 13 Asyl Miras autism centers across Kazakhstan.