QAZAQ GREEN.  At the 11th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Energy, Bakytzhan Ilyas, participated in the panel session “Green Hydrogen – Developing Infrastructure”, where he outlined the government's practical measures for advancing hydrogen energy, achieving carbon neutrality, and decarbonizing key sectors of the economy, according to Kazakhstan’ Energy Ministry.

“Today, hydrogen energy is considered a strategic direction. Kazakhstan sees green hydrogen as an opportunity for energy transition, economic diversification, and emission reduction. The country aims to balance domestic hydrogen use and exports, as it could replace fossil fuels and support economic growth in the future,” the Vice Minister stated.

During bilateral talks with Berhold Göke, Director General at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the parties discussed cooperation in energy security and climate commitments under the NDC framework. The successful collaboration between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and key German institutions—such as the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana, the German Energy Agency (DENA), the German Development Agency (GIZ), and leading German companies—was highlighted.

The Kazakh delegation invited German partners to actively participate in addressing climate, environmental, and water-related challenges at the Regional Climate Summit in Astana in 2026. Kazakhstan, adhering to the principle of “Successful Central Asia – Successful Kazakhstan”, seeks to expand cooperation under Germany’s Green Central Asia initiative.

Berhold Göke praised Kazakhstan’s practical steps toward green transformation, emphasizing the attractiveness of large-scale green projects. He reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting collective efforts aimed at fulfilling climate obligations under the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Göke also noted that Kazakhstan’s involvement in Germany’s Climate Club and Global Matchmaking platform would strengthen its global standing and help identify promising financial and technological solutions for decarbonizing the energy sector and reducing industrial emissions.

During a meeting with DENA Director Kristina Haverkamp, both sides underscored the importance of strategic partnership in hydrogen energy, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and sustainable construction. German partners also expressed appreciation for Kazakhstan’s plans to develop nuclear energy and modernize its energy and utility sectors under the National Modernization Project.

In a discussion with Hendrik Möller, Head of H2Diplo GIZ, the parties explored key areas of cooperation in hydrogen diplomacy, industrial decarbonization, and sustainable development. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and GIZ agreed to deepen their collaboration in support of global climate action, energy independence, and environmental sustainability—not just for Kazakhstan but for the entire Central Asian region.

The Kazakh delegation also visited Germany’s H2-Leitstelle Coordination Office, established by the Federal Government to advance its National Hydrogen Strategy. Delegates were given a comprehensive overview of the office’s operations, including real-time strategy implementation, monitoring frameworks, and future hydrogen energy plans. The office serves as a central coordination hub for cooperation between ministries and stakeholders at both operational and strategic levels.

Additionally, Vice Minister Ilyas held meetings with Moldova’s State Secretary for Energy, Cristina Pereteatcu, Lutz Morgenstern, Head of International Climate Action and Energy Transition at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Philipp Schattenmann, Project Leader at GIZ’s “International Coal Regions in Transition” program, and Franziska Weiss, Senior Vice President for Business Development in Europe at Siemens Energy.

Following these discussions, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and the GIZ Hydrogen Diplomacy Office outlined further plans to implement the agreements reached during the event.

The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) is a major international platform for the Global Energy Transition Movement, bringing together energy sector representatives from around the world. The event gathers over 50 ministers and state secretaries, as well as 17,000 participants from 130 countries. Now in its 11th year, the BETD serves as a hub for international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the deployment of innovative energy solutions.