Kazakhstan hosts High-level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia”

The Second High-level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia” was held in Astana at the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The conference brought together representatives of governments from different countries, scientists, economists and public figures involved in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In his welcoming address to the participants, the President of Kazakhstan noted that, amid the fragmentation of the global economy, climate change and the rapid development of digital technologies, the sustainable development paradigm implemented under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) remains a key factor of international stability and progress.

“A completely new approach is required to establish a rational balance between economic growth, social justice and environmental responsibility,” the address by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated, which was delivered by Sayasat Nurbek.

Photo: 2nd High-level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia”

Welcoming the conference participants, MGIMO Rector, Academician Anatoly Torkunov, noted that the event has evolved from a bilateral Russian–Kazakh platform into a respected international forum bringing together experts from different regions of the world.

"Today’s conference is structured around analysing what has been achieved during the previous stages of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and forecasting future developments. Colleagues representing a wide range of countries will provide assessments based on their national experience of implementing the Goals. Particular attention will be devoted to energy-related issues, as well as to the international political and institutional context of SDG implementation"

Anatoly Torkunov Rector of MGIMO-University of Russia's Foreign Ministry

Kubayi Mikateko, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg (South Africa), noted in a comment to TV BRICS the progress Kazakhstan has made towards implementing the SDGs, stating that the republic has achieved an advanced pace of development.

“In fact, Kazakhstan is one of the glowing stars, if you like, but even it has achieved only 40 per cent, according to recent statements, while the world average stands at 17 per cent. Yet we are about to reach 2030 in just four years. So it is clear that we are not going to achieve these goals, and there will have to be a reset,” the expert suggested.

Particular attention was given to energy-related issues, including the development of cross-border energy corridors, attracting investment in infrastructure, and establishing mechanisms for international cooperation in the implementation of energy projects. According to experts, efforts to ensure energy security have become increasingly intertwined with environmental objectives in recent years.

“The United Nations has recently achieved a number of important outcomes and results specifically for the environmental world. The latest Conference of the Parties on the climate convention, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, adopted an important set of outcomes, very practical outcomes. […] As we talk about the United Nations and its 193 member states, there are also new, or I would say more recent, coalitions of countries that share interests. These are helping advance international agendas. BRICS is one important group. Why? It's because it integrates not where the past of the economy is but where the future of the economy is,” said Jorge Laguna-Celis, Director responsible for the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) One Planet Network, in an interview with TV BRICS.

Photo: 2nd High-level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia”

Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, drew attention to the fact that the post-2030 agenda should be more practice-orientated, with stronger financing mechanisms, the introduction of new partnership models and the development of regional cooperation, particularly across the Eurasian space.

Experts also discussed a new key factor in future development – artificial intelligence and digital technologies, which may become either a new driver of progress or, conversely, a new threat and source of inequality. In a comment to TV BRICS, Animesh Kumar, Associate Professor at the WTO Centre at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, highlighted two important aspects of SDG implementation.

“I think for sustainable development, two things are really, really important. One is the model should be localised, depending on the country's actual status of development and their needs. So that flexibility should be there, along with adequate provision for funds. The second thing is to not underestimate the importance of digital infrastructure and AI. All the decisions that we take now should also consider the future changes that are going to happen in the technological field. So there should be a separate discussion on how to adopt those into the agenda,” Kumar stated.

The experts considered possible scenarios for transforming the SDG system: maintaining the universal model, concentrating on priority areas, or strengthening regional formats of cooperation followed by global coordination. They also discussed the expanding role of BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and other regional groupings in shaping a new agenda, as well as how to strike a balance between technological progress and sustainable development.

The plenary session of the conference concluded with remarks by Jeffrey Sachs, Professor at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The professor expressed an idea that, in one form or another, had resonated throughout the conference: sustainable development requires regional cooperation and the pooling of efforts among states. The countries of Central Asia share common ecosystems, water resources, energy systems and transport corridors, making it clear that many major challenges require joint action at the regional level.

Photo: 2nd High-level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia”

One of the practical outcomes of the conference was an agreement to continue the work of the emerging international expert community. The forum in Astana will become a regular platform for discussing sustainable development issues and preparing proposals for improving the global SDG system.

The conference was organised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) of the Russian Foreign Ministry, a partner of TV BRICS. The media network served as the international media partner of the event.