Kazakhstan: President Tokayev emphasizes importance and urgency of addressing climate change in Abu Dhabi

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (pictured) participated in the inauguration of Sustainability Week in the UAE. During the summit of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week on 14 January, President Tokayev highlighted the new paradigm of development, writes Derya Soysal, expert on Central Asia.

The year 2025 has started actively for the Kazakh president. His country, increasingly aligning with European values and standards, is implementing various climate policies at both national and international levels to combat global warming. In Abu Dhabi, President Tokayev underscored the pressing realities of global climate change, desertification, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and food insecurity in his speech. He emphasized the new development paradigm during the summit.

In recent years, the world, especially the EU, has been on high alert regarding the energy transition. Indeed, climate change has become a global issue in the 21st century. Several solutions, such as the use of low greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide, have been proposed by experts from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), engineers, and others.

Kazakhstan will play a major global role in addressing climate change. The country possesses critical raw materials essential for producing low-carbon energy. The EU, for instance, is actively seeking new partners for raw material production, and Kazakhstan is one of these key countries. At the end of 2024, several events, round tables, discussions, and meetings in Brussels facilitated bilateral exchanges between the EU and Kazakhstan on raw material cooperation.

Aware of its significant reserves of critical raw materials, President Tokayev stated, “Kazakhstan also seeks to ensure a diversified supply of essential raw materials for global markets. These materials are indispensable to achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals.” Kazakhstan’s geological potential includes 16 of the 22 critical materials, making it a key source for clean energy technologies. It holds:

• 30.07% of the world’s chrome reserves

• 20% of lead reserves

• 12.6% of zinc reserves

• 8.7% of titanium reserves

• 5.8% of aluminum reserves

• 5.3% of copper reserves

• 5.3% of cobalt reserves

• 5.2% of molybdenum reserves

The country has the world’s fifth-largest zinc reserves and eighth-largest ore reserves, and it is among the top 20 for proven copper, cadmium, and bauxite reserves. Kazakhstan is also the largest producer of uranium for commercial use, meeting more than 21% of the EU’s uranium demand.

Given the importance of low greenhouse gas emissions, Kazakhstan is also turning towards nuclear energy. President Tokayev discussed the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, following a national referendum, marking a significant step in sustainable energy development.

Recognizing that climate change is the century’s greatest challenge, Kazakhstan is addressing the root cause—greenhouse gas emissions like CO2. The president stressed the need to transition to low-carbon energy sources such as renewables. Companies have committed to 43 gigawatts of green energy projects in Kazakhstan. The development of renewables is becoming a priority in Central Asia, especially in Kazakhstan, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The country is leveraging solar and wind power, with “Astana Expo 2017” being one of the largest wind farms, featuring 29 turbines generating 100 megawatts of green energy just 40 km from the capital.

Currently, Kazakhstan has 148 renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2.9 GW. Plans for 66 additional projects, amounting to 1.68 GW and $1.3 billion in investments, are underway. The Ministry of Energy has developed a comprehensive plan for 2024–2035 to add 26 GW of new capacity, focusing on renewables, nuclear energy, and national grid development.

In 2024, the renewable energy sector demonstrated steady growth, with energy generation increasing by 10% compared to 2023, reaching 5.6 billion kWh.

Tokayev also emphasized environmental issues like biodiversity. The country, rich in biodiversity, is implementing projects to protect it. Notably, efforts to revive the Aral Sea, which dried up during the Soviet era, showcase Kazakhstan’s environmental commitment.

Finally, the country is emerging as a bridge between Asia and Europe, like its Central Asian neighbors. As a hub of Eurasia, Kazakhstan views transit and transportation as essential for sustainable development. President Tokayev noted significant investments in transport infrastructure, highlighting the importance of the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor for Europe.

In conclusion, the Kazakh president is determined to address Central Asia’s growing vulnerability to climate change. Aware of rising regional temperatures, he advocates for constructive policies to protect ecosystems and biodiversity. Tokayev stressed the urgent need for global renewable energy adoption and food security, alongside strengthened international cooperation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Polonskaya, G. (2022, December 02). Euronews. Kazakhstan : une transition énergétique ambitieuse. Retrieved from https://fr.euronews.com/business/2022/12/02/kazakhstan-une-transition-energetique-ambitieuse

XHOI, Z. (2024, December 22). Euractiv – News & EU policy from Europe, for Europe. Kazakhstan investing in renewables, hydrocarbons, and infrastructure with new energy vision – Euractiv. Retrieved from http://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/kazakhstan-investing-in-renewables-hydrocarbons-and-infrastructure-with-new-energy-vision/

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