SDSN Kazakhstan Joins Workshop on Kazakhstan's Draft Voluntary National Review 2025
On February 12, 2025, SDSN Kazakhstan participated in a workshop organized by the Economic Research Institute (ERI) to discuss the draft of Kazakhstan's Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2025. The workshop brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, experts, business representatives, and civil society members, all contributing their perspectives on Kazakhstan's sustainable development journey. Serik Orazgaliyev, Co-Chair of SDSN Kazakhstan, and Malika Tazhmuratova, Manager of SDSN Kazakhstan, participated in the workshop.
In her opening remarks, Olga Perepechina, Deputy Chairperson of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized the country’s steady progress toward sustainable development. She highlighted that the systematic preparation of the VNR reflects Kazakhstan's commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the workshop, participants discussed the current VNR, which includes a recommendation from the United Nations to undertake a more comprehensive, in-depth analysis of five critical SDGs: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The process of identifying priority SDGs for Kazakhstan involves extensive consultations with diverse stakeholders and regional populations. The workshop initiated a dialogue in the direction of developing a national review that accurately reflects Kazakhstan’s commitment and progress towards the SDGs and its plan for achieving sustainable development in the coming years.
These deliberations will help finalize Kazakhstan's VNR, which is to be presented to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2025. The HLPF, which meets under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC), is the main UN gathering on sustainable development.
The 2025 HLPF will address the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.” It highlights the importance of evidence-based solutions and the inclusion of marginalized communities in shaping sustainable policies. In alignment with the theme, Kazakhstan's drafting process will adhere to the “Leave No One Behind” principle and guide its work. The principle is important to ensure that all segments of the community, especially youth voices, are heard, included, and represented.
At the HLPF 2025, Kazakhstan’s third VNR will be presented alongside reviews from 38 other countries. The event will be an opportunity for Kazakhstan to showcase its achievements, share its experiences with the international community, and receive feedback on its approach to sustainable development.
SDSN Kazakhstan is actively engaged in the process and plans to attend upcoming working group meetings that are crucial in shaping the final version of VNR. In addition to the contributions made during the workshop, SDSN Kazakhstan's engagement in the VNR process reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing Kazakhstan’s sustainable development agenda. As a network that connects researchers, academics, and policymakers, SDSN Kazakhstan plays a crucial role in gathering and analyzing data to support evidence-based decision-making.
To learn more about SDSN Kazakhstan, visit the Network’s website.
