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SDSN Kazakhstan Organized a Series of Four Roundtables Covering Various Topics Related to SDGs

By Afiq Ismaizan

The roundtables covered topics such as CSR, Land Use & Food Systems, Tertiary Education and Student Initiatives

1) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and SDGs
A roundtable discussion was organized on 15th October 2021 on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and SDGs in partnership with the Kazakh Association of Regional Environmental Initiatives (ECOJER), where academic, industrial representatives and state officials discussed the CSR and sustainability challenges in Kazakhstan.

2) Incorporation of SDGs in the Tertiary Educational Sector

A second discussion was held on 15th October towards the alignment of SDG activities within the Kazakh universities in research, education and administrative management. The SDSN guideline ( Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities: A guide for universities, colleges, and tertiary and higher education institutions ) has been thoroughly explored to develop similar approaches in Kazakh universities. Participants from Nazarbayev University, Suleyman Demirel University , Al Farabi Kazakh National University , Narxoz University , German-Kazakh University , and Almaty Management University agreed to collaborate on research and educational initiatives toward the adoption of SDGs in the tertiary sector of Kazakhstan.

3) SDGs, Land Use and Food Systems

On 16th October 2021, a roundtable discussed Sustainable Land Use Resources and Food Systems in partnership with Kazakhstan's Food Agricultural Organization (FAO). The topics discussed in the roundtable were related to the customization of SDGs related to agricultural and food aspects in the Kazakh context and the development of assessments and policy briefs on sustainable food systems in Kazakhstan. Kazakh research institutes and State Agencies from the Ministry of Agriculture and experts from FAO in Kazakhstan and the Headquarters in Rome participated.

4) Student Initiatives on Sustainable Development

A second roundtable discussion was also held on 16th October, where student associations discussed current and future plans for incorporating SDGs in their activities and improving cooperation through the SDSN Kazakhstan. Associations from NU, Suleyman Demirel University, Al Farabi Kazakh National, and Narxoz Universities have been invited, and there was a great interest from many associations to contribute to the establishment of the SDSN Youth branch in Kazakhstan.

SDSN Kazakhstan organized these series of roundtables with the purpose of bringing together stakeholders from across the country and across sectors to discuss priority SDG issues in Kazakhstan. These roundtable discussion are also in line with priority areas of SDSN Kazakhstan, which are:

  • Corporate Sustainability and Natural Resources (SDG 7,8,9,12)
  • Sustainable Land Use Resources and Food Systems (SDG 1,9,13,15)
  • Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity (SDG 13, 14,15)
  • Water Security with a focus on the Caspian Sea (SDG 6,14,17)
  • Sustainable Development Education in the Tertiary Sector (SDG4, 10)