QAZAQ GREEN. Astana hosted the official launch of Kazakhstan’s Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) Roadmap—a strategic framework aimed at ensuring sustainable, affordable energy access and supporting the country’s energy transition by 2030. The roadmap was developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).

The event brought together high-level representatives, including Bakytzhan Ilyas, Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Stephen O’Malley, Interim UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan; Michael Williamson, Chief of the UN ESCAP Energy Division; and Oleg Dzyubinsky, Regional Advisor at the UNECE Sustainable Energy Division.

During the launch, participants were introduced to the roadmap’s key findings, conclusions, and policy recommendations. Developed using the National Expert SDG Tool for Energy Planning (NEXSTEP), the roadmap outlines a comprehensive strategy for Kazakhstan’s energy transition, addressing both supply and demand across all sectors. The roadmap was presented by Anis Zaman, Economic Affairs Officer at UN ESCAP, and Vitaly Becker, UNECE International Consultant.

The event also featured the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) initiative, which aims to create a national platform to attract investment for decarbonising the energy sector. The initiative was presented by Zulpat Azieva, Deputy Head of the JETP Working Group under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy.

A dedicated session focused on investment mobilisation. Yernar Bilyalov, UNECE National Consultant in Kazakhstan, presented an analytical review of domestic mechanisms for attracting investment in the roadmap’s priority areas. Ainur Zhakupova, Deputy Director for External Expertise at the AIFC Green Finance Centre, discussed the potential of green bonds as a key tool for financing clean energy. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) also showcased its Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), which offers affordable financing and expert support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Kazakhstan.

The SDG 7 Roadmap for Kazakhstan is designed to help the country achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The roadmap provides targeted recommendations to enhance energy policy, deploy advanced technologies, strengthen the regulatory framework, and attract investment—ensuring universal access to reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. It also reflects an integrated, cross-sectoral approach to the long-term development of Kazakhstan’s energy sector.

The roadmap is available here: SDG 7 Roadmap for Kazakhstan (PDF)