Kazakhstan is taking the next step towards implementing its climate technology priorities, bringing together government, development partners and financing organisations in Astana to explore how Technology Action Plans can translate into concrete projects and investment opportunities.
Last month, representatives from government institutions, development partners, financing organisations, sector experts and stakeholder working groups gathered in Astana for the national workshop “Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) in Kazakhstan: From Technology Priorities to Implementation and Investment.”
The workshop marked an important milestone in Kazakhstan’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) process, bringing together stakeholders to review priority climate technologies, discuss Technology Action Plans (TAPs), and explore Project Ideas and future investment opportunities emerging from the assessment process.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Centre (IGTIC), the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is supporting implementation of the Kazakhstan TNA project.
From priorities to action for climate and development
Opening the workshop, Ms Saule Sabiyeva, Director of the Climate Policy Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, highlighted the importance of climate technologies in supporting Kazakhstan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and longer-term development objectives. Mr Saken Kalkamanov, Chairman of the Management Board of IGTIC, welcomed participants and underlined the importance of translating climate technology priorities into practical actions and investments.
The workshop focused on the three sectors selected under the current TNA process:
- Agriculture (Adaptation)
- Energy (Mitigation)
- Urban and Circular Economy (Mitigation)
National and regional experts presented the results of the technology prioritisation process, barrier analyses and enabling framework assessments, and the emerging Technology Action Plans developed for each sector. Particular attention was given to the practical measures required to accelerate deployment of priority technologies and strengthen enabling conditions for implementation.
Investment-ready climate projects
A central theme of the workshop was the transition from assessment to implementation. Participants reviewed Technology Action Plans and a portfolio of Project Ideas emerging from the TNA process and discussed opportunities for future investment in the agriculture, energy and urban/circular economy sectors.
Representing AIIB, Dr Guoping Zhang, Climate and Nature Solutions Manager, highlighted the importance of developing investment-ready climate projects and noted the Bank’s interest in areas such as renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and circular economy solutions.
The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion involving government institutions, development partners, financing organisations, private-sector representatives and technical experts. Discussions focused on implementation challenges, integration of Technology Action Plans into national planning processes, financing opportunities, and mechanisms for supporting long-term deployment of climate technologies in Kazakhstan.
The sector presentations and Project Ideas were received positively by representatives of the Ministry and AIIB, who commended the quality of the work undertaken by the national and international project team.
A foundation for climate investments
The workshop also provided an opportunity for the project team to review the final steps required for completion of the programme. The immediate priority is the finalisation of the Technology Action Plan report, including the annex of detailed Project Ideas, taking into account comments and recommendations received during the workshop. Following review by UNEP-CCC and the regional experts, the final report will be submitted to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and AIIB.
The project remains on schedule for completion before the end of 2026 and provides an important foundation for future climate technology deployment, project development and investment planning in Kazakhstan.