SDSN Kazakhstan: Sustainable Development Solutions Network

SDSN Kazakhstan for the first time gets featured in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 2024 Networks in Action Report! This year's report focuses on mobilizing the world’s scientific and technical expertise for sustainable development in the lead up to the Summit of the Future! 📊🌐 The report showcases the latest initiatives and partnerships led by SDSN Networks to accelerate progress on the #SDGs. It highlights innovative and impactful solutions our global network is implementing to drive sustainable development. Read the full Networks in Action Report 2024: https://lnkd.in/daUStWZi

SDSN Kazakhstan Presents SDG Barometer Project at Parliamentary Commission On December 13, 2024, the #Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted an Expanded Meeting of the Parliamentary Commission for Monitoring the Implementation of National Goals and Objectives on Sustainable Development. The meeting focused on the role of Parliaments and local representative bodies in promoting sustainable development across the Central Asian region. Participants, including members of the parliamentary commission, experts, and invited stakeholders, reviewed Kazakhstan's progress toward achieving the SDGs over the past 10 years. They also identified key challenges impeding regional sustainable development. During the meeting, Dr Serik Orazgaliyev, Co-Chair of SDSN Kazakhstan and a member of the Experts Club under the Senate, presented the SDG Barometer project, implemented with the support of a grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The #SDG Barometer Kazakhstan 2024 is an initiative of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Kazakhstan, designed to gather comprehensive and inclusive data on public opinions, expectations, and priorities regarding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The survey engaged over 3,000 respondents across 17 regions and 3 major cities of Kazakhstan, addressing national, subnational, and individual perspectives on the most pressing issues. Its methodology strictly adhered to the "leaving no one behind" principle, ensuring the collection of granular data to reflect the voices of diverse population segments. The project presentation was met with great interest, and the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev, emphasized that the study's results would serve as a valuable resource for the Parliament to further evaluate key indicators and trends related to Kazakhstan's sustainable development efforts.

Kick-Starting the SNAPP Working Group on #Resilient Rangelands On November 5-6, 2024, the inaugural meeting of the “Resilient Rangelands: Balancing Rural Economies and Ecosystem Integrity” project took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It marked the beginning of a collaborative journey that will continue over the next two years. The project is funded by the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), and aims to develop models that will shape the next phase of nature conservation and sustainable development. The working group includes 12 key partners: SDSN Kazakhstan, conservation NGOs, international agencies, herder associations, and university research centers. Together, we will focus on identifying the key features of resilient rangelands that support both livelihoods and biodiversity through sustainable land and water management practices. By employing participatory approaches, our group will develop scenarios for two case-study landscapes: one in western Kazakhstan and another in eastern Mongolia. These scenarios will explore synergies and trade-offs, helping to create spatial plans and management options that can guide future projects and inform national policy frameworks. With active involvement from regional and national stakeholders, the group will ensure the insights gained are practical, relevant, and aligned with the needs of both conservation and agriculture. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d5PX4mWY Thank you to Michele Bowe, Alyona Koshkina, and all our partners for making this event possible!

Publication alert 📢 📢 📢 The SDSN Kazakhstan team has published an article on "Clean energy challenges and innovation opportunities in Kazakhstan" in the Environmental Research Communications (ERC) Journal. Stefanos Xenarios, Aliya Sembayeva, Dr Stella Tsani, Serik Orazgaliyev, Zhanat Ansaganova This study identifies and assesses the enablers and barriers related to clean energy innovation in Kazakhstan. Using the combination of SWOT analysis, survey data from 41 experts and the DEMATEL decision support tool, the authors evaluated the key factors affecting Kazakhstan's clean energy innovation and their implications for energy transition. Assessment results show that the immature business environment, underpinned by technological, institutional, and socioeconomic factors, is perceived as a high-impact constraint for clean energy innovation and green finance deployment in Kazakhstan. Skilled labour shortages, high reliance on hydrocarbons and low retail energy prices are significant challenges to Kazakhstan's clean energy innovation. The low-profit margin and high investment risk in clean energy projects are identified as transition barriers in the power and energy-intensive industries. In contrast, Kazakhstan's endowments of resources critical for developing clean energy technologies (rare earth metals, uranium, gas) and the potential of low-carbon investments (e.g. carbon storage) are perceived as prominent enablers of clean energy innovation. Results are consistent across expert subgroups (academia, industry, NGOs, etc). Findings call for policy support to modern and attractive business environments, capacity, and human capital development. The findings can provide helpful insights for countries in Central Asia and beyond with similar socioeconomic structures that aim for a timely energy transition. Find more: https://lnkd.in/dKV9J29a

📢 🏆 🌍 We are thrilled to congratulate Vera Voronova and the ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, the SDSN Kazakhstan's network member and a key partner in the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) project, with their remarkable achievement in winning the prestigious Prince William’s The Earthshot Prize 2024! The ACBC's Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative was nominated by the UN Environment Programme and selected as one of the top winners from 15 finalists in this year’s Earthshot lineup. The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has made unparalleled strides in protecting the critically endangered saiga antelope, evolving into one of the world’s largest and most successful conservation projects. The initiative is focused on restoring Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe, one of the planet's least protected natural ecosystems. Launched in 2005, the Altyn Dala initiative represents a powerful partnership among the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, the ACBC, Fauna & Flora International, the Frankfurt Zoological Society / Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt, and the Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds. Over the course of nearly two decades, the initiative has attracted over $9.5 million in international funding, becoming one of the world’s most successful mammal restoration projects. In 2024, Kazakhstan’s #saiga population surged to an extraordinary 2.8 million. In addition to the saiga, the initiative also focuses on the preservation of other endangered species, including the kulan, Przewalski’s horse, steppe eagle, and gyrfalcon. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in the Altyn Dala initiative, and we are excited to see this important project continue to thrive and inspire global conservation efforts.

On October 23-24, a National Inception Workshop for the #Convergence Initiative took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, marking a significant step in aligning food systems transformation with climate action. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, the @UN Issue-Based Coalition on Sustainable Food Systems (IBC-SFS), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), brought together key food systems actors, including policymakers, technical experts, private sector leaders, youth, and civil society. The Convergence Initiative aims to support national efforts to advance the alignment between the “food systems transformation” and “climate action” agendas to enable governments and relevant actors at the national level to strengthen synergetic action that will simultaneously support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. Kazakhstan will be the first pilot country in Europe and Central Asia, providing an opportunity to capitalize on the important strides and progress made on the food systems and climate action agendas. The pilot will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Convenor, and the IBC-SFS. Malika Tazhmuratova, the manager of SDSN Kazakhstan, provided insights into the “Resilient Rangelands: Balancing Rural Economies and Ecosystem Integrity” project. This initiative, funded by the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), involves SDSN Kazakhstan as a key participant in the working group. Together with other 16 institutions, the SDSN Kazakhstan will help explore the ways to optimize management of Kazakh and Mongolian rangeland ecosystems to harmonise objectives of nature conservation and agricultural development. The project outputs will result in spatial plans and management options to guide project delivery and provide evidence to develop supportive policy frameworks at national levels. Sustainable Development Solutions Network - SDSN Kazakhstan Serik Orazgaliyev Zhanel Sembayeva #SustainableFoodSystems #ClimateChange #sustainability #SDGs #SDSNKazakhstan

📢 We are pleased to announce the release of the International Energy Agency (IEA) report on Clean Energy Innovation Policies in Emerging and Developing Economies! The SDSN Kazakhstan team of researchers - Dr Stefanos Xenarios, Dr Stella Tsani, Dr Aliya Sembayeva and Dr Serik Orazgaliyev, - conducted a national case study article entitled “Energy and industrial transitions, and Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund”, specifically exploring approaches to achieve carbon neutrality and decrease emissions in alignment with the #Paris Agreement. This report presents 11 new case studies of national experiences with policy development and implementation in support of energy innovation in emerging and developing economies. The case studies, authored by national experts, cover a range of technologies and highlight distinct aspects of the energy innovation process across diverse settings in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. The chapter on Kazakhstan examines clean innovation policies and support in Kazakhstan focusing on the role of its Sovereign Wealth Fund SAMRUK-KAZYNA. Samruk-Kazyna, which owns industrial and commercial firms accounting for about 40% of national GDP, has initiated several energy innovation initiatives to curb emissions and stimulate economic development in its portfolio, contributing to national carbon reduction efforts. The chapter highlights the unique position of Samruk-Kazyna in Kazakhstan to channel capital towards long-term socioeconomic and environmental objectives in a manner that may not be feasible for private investors in similar emerging market economies. The key findings of the report include: ·       Effective innovation ecosystems can look very different depending on a country’s resources and institutional history; ·       There is huge potential for all countries to innovate the clean energy technology improvements the world needs, and for international innovation co-operation to support developing countries with their development, climate and energy security goals; ·       It is important that domestic policy and international support account for local contexts and identify areas for sharing experiences between governments. The full report is accessible via the link: https://lnkd.in/d_Pq_QWZ (the chapter on Kazakhstan is on pp. 139-156). Learn more on our website: https://lnkd.in/dvXppVgy Acknowledgements: This research project was supported as part of Nazarbayev University’s “Transition to Sustainable Energy Program” implemented by SDSN Kazakhstan in 2022-2023 and funded by Chevron.

💡🌐 SDSN KAZAKHSTAN NETWORK MEMBER SDU UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES SUSTAINABILITY WEEK SDU University, Kazakhstan, a member of SDSN Kazakhstan academic network, launched Sustainability Week on 23rd September 2024. The #Sustainability Week was also taking place in parallel with the Summit of the Future at the United Nations. The Summit of the Future is a high-level event that brings world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. On Monday 23rd, SDSN Kazakhstan Acting Chair Dr Serik Orazgaliyev joined the Opening ceremony of the UN SDGs Corner at SDU University. Sustainable Development Week is a series of exciting events and activities all related to sustainability in all its possible facets, aimed at raising awareness among staff and students of SDU about environmental, economic (financial) sustainability, and social responsibility. The purpose of the week is to promote the 17 #UNSDGs, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, within the university community through practical seminars and discussions focused on addressing critical global challenges and enhancing the well-being of our planet. The event was attended by governmental and international organizations, including UN representatives in Kazakhstan, the Consulate of Germany, and representatives of The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) and several universities based in Almaty. #SDSNKazakhstan #SDGweek #SDU

🎉🥇🌐 Sustainable Development Solutions Network - SDSN Kazakhstan’s SDG Barometer project recognized for outstanding research excellence at the Nazarbayev University Annual Research Conference!   The SDSN’s SDG Barometer Project received a certificate of recognition for outstanding excellence in presenting the Best Poster in the research priority of “Socio-Economic Transformation”. The conference judges evaluated the posters along several criteria, including the importance of research, priority, research methods, and impact. Based on judges’ voting, the research team of Serik Orazgaliyev, Stefanos Xenarios, Anar Shaikenova and Nargiz Kapasheva won the competition for the SDG Barometer research project. The SDG Barometer Kazakhstan 2024 survey is an initiative of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Kazakhstan. The survey targeted more than 3000 respondents across Kazakhstan's 17 regions and 3 major cities, attempting to gather comprehensive, inclusive, and consultative data to ask for public opinion, expectations and prioritization of the most pressing problems towards the United Nations #SustainableDevelopmentGoals in Kazakhstan at national, subnational, and individual levels. The methodology adhered to the "leaving no one behind" principle, emphasizing the collection of granular data to reflect diverse population segments. Learn more about the project on our website: https://lnkd.in/ddXHGhDv

We are pleased to announce that SDSN Kazakhstan will be part of a Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP)-funded Resilient Rangelands Project! Together with other institutions comprising conservation NGOs, herder associations, university researchers, and the UN FAO, we will help explore the ways to optimize management of Kazakh and Mongolian rangeland ecosystems to harmonise objectives of nature conservation and agricultural development. The project will use participatory approaches to develop scenarios for the western Kazakhstan and eastern Mongolia regions under different developmental pathways. The project outputs will result in spatial plans and management options to guide project delivery and provide evidence to develop supportive policy frameworks at national levels. For more information, please visit out website: https://lnkd.in/dzvWbvN4 #sdsnkz_news #sdsnkz_partnerships