Sustainability Leaders Share Best Practices at RES2026 EXPO

On April 22, 2026, as part of the business program of RES 2026 EXPO in Astana, a panel session titled “Leaders of the Sustainability Agenda: Cities and Companies” brought together representatives of government, business, and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable development. The session was moderated by Yuliya Yakupbayeva, Chair of the Sustainable Development Council at the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” and Partner at GPI Group.

Opening the discussion, Yuliya Yakupbayeva noted that the Sustainable Development Council at Atameken actively addresses a broad range of issues, including green finance and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

“Today, sustainable development and ESG are under pressure. On one hand, new IFRS sustainability standards and increasingly stringent investor requirements are being introduced; on the other, skepticism toward the ESG agenda continues to grow. We believe it is important to highlight examples of companies where sustainability is not merely a declaration but a foundation for decision-making and an integral part of corporate culture. It is evident that ESG factors directly influence investment, infrastructure, and the quality of life in our cities,” she emphasized.

Bakhtiyar Bekenov, Head of the Urban Studies Center, outlined Astana’s plans for further urban development, including the expansion of pedestrian areas and green spaces. He noted that in the coming years, the city’s priorities will include improving access to public spaces and creating a more comfortable urban environment.

Aliya Murzagaliyeva, Managing Director of Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC, explained that the Holding is systematically embedding ESG principles both across its group of companies and through the projects it finances. Its subsidiaries are strengthening ESG impact assessments while incorporating sustainability criteria into borrower requirements.

“We position ourselves as a financial institution. At the same time, sustainable development has become one of the key factors influencing our lending and investment decisions,” she said.

Alexandra Akkirman, Senior Director for Government Relations, Communications, and Sustainability for Coca-Cola in Central Asia and the Caucasus, announced the continuation of the Smart Plastic Zone initiative in 2026, alongside the launch of a new project, Smart Water Zone.

“For us, sustainability is not a collection of separate initiatives but a systematic effort to reduce our environmental footprint. We see strong interest from businesses in initiatives such as Smart Plastic Zone. That is why we are continuing to expand the project while launching Smart Water Zone as the next step in responsible resource management,” she noted.

Saginbek Shunkeyev, CEO of Timur Kulibayev’s Halyk Charitable Foundation, presented a large-scale forest restoration project in the Abai Region. Approximately KZT 1 billion has been allocated to the initiative, with the goal of planting up to nine million trees. The project actively engages volunteers and young people while also exploring long-term forest conservation measures, including wildfire prevention systems and the potential introduction of carbon offset mechanisms.

Ekaterina Sova, Deputy General Manager for Operations at The Ritz-Carlton Astana, emphasized that sustainability has become an integral part of the hospitality industry, driven both by guest expectations and international standards such as Green Key. The hotel is implementing practical measures to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.

During the session, organizers also recognized new participants in the Smart Plastic Zone initiative, including representatives of KTZ Express, Keruen Shopping Center, Keruen City, and Aruzhan Shopping Center.

Concluding the discussion, participants agreed that building sustainable cities and resilient economies requires coordinated action by government, business, and society, as well as broader adoption of proven ESG and sustainability practices.