QAZAQ GREEN. Officials from Kazakhstan and Japan held talks in Astana to review cooperation on energy transition, decarbonization and advanced technologies, the Kazakh Ministry of Energy said.

The meeting brought together Talgat Karashev, Director of International Cooperation at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, and Hidehiko Ishii, Director for Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the outcomes of the Central Asia + Japan Summit and exchanged views on global decarbonization efforts.

Kazakhstan’s representatives noted that countries in Central Asia are moving from strategic planning to the practical implementation of energy transition policies. For Kazakhstan, key priorities include attracting large-scale investment and deploying advanced technologies to modernize industry in line with ESG principles.

The country currently operates 163 renewable energy facilities with a combined capacity of 3.5 GW, which has raised the share of renewable generation in the national power mix to about 7%.

Hydrogen energy was highlighted as one of the most promising areas for cooperation, seen as a strategic pathway for industrial decarbonization and the development of new export markets. Alongside renewable energy expansion, Kazakhstan is also advancing major projects in the oil and gas petrochemical sector.

Kazakh officials expressed interest in drawing on Japan’s experience in energy efficiency, hydrogen technologies and advanced hydrocarbon processing. Both sides confirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation through joint investment and high-technology projects aimed at supporting the sustainable development of their energy systems.