Participants discussed Kazakhstan’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as business issues and sustainable development initiatives.

The event was attended by Vice-Minister of National Economy Abzal Abdikarimov, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Mikaela Friberg-Storey, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan Katarzyna Wawiernia, UN Global Compact Country Manager Dinara Sejjaparova and representatives of the business community — members of the UN Global Compact, reported the press service of Kazakh MNE.

The meeting participants discussed Kazakhstan’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as business issues and sustainable development initiatives.

Mr. A. Abdikarimov spoke about the work carried out by the Government to promote SDGs at the national and regional levels, and the implementation of national SDG indicators in the documents of the State Planning System.

Representatives of the business community, who have undergone the procedure of accession to the UN Global Compact, spoke about the results achieved by the companies in recent years, as well as demonstrated effective practices of sustainable business in Kazakhstan.

According to the Vice-Minister, the effect of the Global Compact for Kazakhstan is the development of socially responsible policies in companies and as a consequence the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative launched by the United Nations in 2000 to encourage businesses and organizations around the world to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies and practices. The document operates on the basis of ten universally recognized principles that cover four key areas: human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.