A multinational agreement to set up the center was signed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on 24 July 2006, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

The center will be based in Almaty and will be funded by certain donor nations, international organizations and the seven participating countries, said an official from the Mazhlis (Lower House) of Kazakhstan’s parliament.

The agreement will take effect after it is signed by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

As earlier reported, Kyrgyzstan has ratified the agreement several days ago.