On October 11, The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty hosted the presentation of the UNICEF Anniversary Gala 2026, a charity evening dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Children’s Fund. The gala dinner itself will take place on November 20 and will bring together around 200 business leaders, philanthropists, diplomats and cultural figures.
This year, the funds raised will go toward protecting children from violence and bullying, including in the digital space. Today, one in six schoolchildren in Kazakhstan regularly faces bullying. The program will reach 1 million students, and 15,000 teachers, psychologists, lawyers and police officers will receive additional training. In addition, one-stop support centers for affected children will open in all 20 regions of the country.
Last year’s gala raised a record 283 million tenge to support adolescent mental health. This year’s auction lots include a museum-quality 1969 tus kiiz and a Salvador Dalí print from the Tristan and Isolde series. Opera singer Mariya Mudryak, Dequine, The Jigits and ALEM will perform at the evening.
For the business community, including YPO members, the Gala is an opportunity to invest in a long-term, systemic child protection program. Many of us are parents ourselves and know how important it is for a child to go to school without fear. When people who build companies and transform industries invest their energy in children’s safety, they are also building the country’s future.
