Locations
UNDP Kazakhstan
Annual Report 2025
2025 was the final year of our Country Programme — a five-year framework that took shape in the shadow of COVID-19 and concluded at a time when floods in the north of the country, rising temperatures across the steppe, and rapid automation in the labour market reminded us that the work of development is not a straight line toward stability. The challenges evolved, but so did our response. This report documents what we achieved together and outlines the foundations we are building on for the next programme cycle.
"Development at this scale is never the work of a single institution. It draws on many kinds of partnership — each bringing its own resources, reach, and perspective. UNDP acted as a catalyst and a trusted partner: connecting global knowledge with local priorities and helping translate ambitious ideas into practical solutions. The progress described in these pages would not have been possible without you."
— Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan
2025 Report Highlights
In 2025, Kazakhstan reached a major milestone with the preparation and presentation of its Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) in July. The Ministry of National Economy assumed full leadership of the process and coordinated an inclusive national dialogue. UNDP supported the VNR through nationwide consultations with 4.650 participants, ensuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups and adherence to the leave no one behind principle. The VNR’s focus on SDG 1, SDG 12 and SDG 16 strengthened the alignment of national policies and public budgets with equity focused development outcomes, while UNDP provided core technical input to the SDG 5 chapter, contributing to the national narrative on gender equality.
In parallel, UNDP provided technical expertise, capacity development and policy dialogue to support the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in strengthening parliamentary oversight of SDG implementation, including a May 2025 workshop on the role of public finance in achieving the SDGs, attended by 60 parliamentarians, government representatives and experts.
In 2025, the joint collaboration with the Ministry of Healthcare, SK-Pharmacy ensured access to essential and life-saving medicines for approximately 11,000 patients.
The continued strategic partnership with the Ministry of Healthcare since 2018, generated approximately US$9.7 million in state budget savings in 2025 alone, contributing to improved efficiency and sustainability of public health financing.
In addition, in 2025 UNDP supported the implementation of Pandemic Fund activities aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s public health preparedness and laboratory capacity. The initiative focused on upgrading laboratory infrastructure, procuring laboratory equipment and specialized vehicles for sample transportation, and enhancing the ability of national institutions to respond effectively to infectious disease threats and public health emergencies.
UNDP strengthened the rehabilitation system for persons with disabilities by National Scientific Center for the Development of the Social Protection Sphere (NSC) through the introduction of innovative assistive technologies and the expansion of home-based rehabilitation services.
UNDP, in partnership with the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and with support from the Global Fund, strengthened governance and accountability of Kazakhstan’s HIV and tuberculosis response. Regional capacities were enhanced through training on State Social Contracting and strengthened oversight functions, contributing to improved access to health services and stronger collaboration between government and civil society.
In partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan and the Astana Civil Service Hub, UNDP promoted innovative digital governance and AI-enabled public service delivery through comparative research, policy dialogue, and regional capacity-building initiatives involving civil servants from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Asia-Pacific countries.
Support to the National Human Rights Institution (Ombudsman) contributed to alignment with the Paris Principles through the development of a strategic framework integrating gender equality and protection of vulnerable groups. National dialogue on access to justice was further expanded through an analysis of environmental justice gaps aligned with international standards.
Access to justice dialogue expanded to include environmental justice considerations, while public servants strengthened practical skills in artificial intelligence, strategic communication, project management, participatory governance, and modern public administration approaches.
Operational effectiveness of state institutions was reinforced through modernization of customs monitoring systems and capacity development of police psychological services, improving risk management, staff wellbeing, and gender-responsive professional practices.
UNDP also contributed to governance innovation through the development of regional knowledge products promoting responsible AI governance, digital government reform, and inclusive public administration practices.
UNDP supported the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population and the Workforce Development Center JSC in launching a comprehensive functional review of employment and social assistance services, including Labor Mobility and Career Centres. The initiative supports modernization and digitalization of employment service delivery in response to technological change, automation, and evolving migration dynamics.
Evidence-based labor market planning was strengthened through the development of a national labor market analysis and forecasting model covering 68 economic sectors, integrating demographic, migration, and regional development scenarios to better anticipate skills demand and reduce regional disparities.
At regional level, UNDP supported the Ministry of National Economy and local authorities in Abai and Ulytau regions to conduct socio-economic and spatial analyses guiding diversification strategies and investment prioritization. Inclusive consultations with communities, civil society, and youth strengthened participatory development processes and informed local priorities.
As a result, 31 locally driven project proposals were developed and technically appraised, prioritizing practical improvements in communal and social infrastructure. Implementation was carried out in close cooperation with national and regional authorities, ensuring strong ownership and alignment with national and regional development policies.
Through the Digital Kyzylorda programme, implemented with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, UNDP strengthened the digital and entrepreneurial capacities of local businesses. Training across all districts equipped MSMEs with practical digital, automation, and AI-enabled business skills while improving access to finance and innovation support mechanisms. Local trainer networks were established to ensure sustainability and multiplier effects, with strong participation of women entrepreneurs.
Regionally, UNDP continued expanding education and employment opportunities for Afghan women through an EU-funded programme supporting higher education and professional placements across Central Asia.
Biodiversity: From Policy Commitments to Scaled Ecosystem Action
UNDP supported adoption of the Concept for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use for 2026–2035, aligning Kazakhstan’s biodiversity governance with targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and strengthening institutional coordination across ecosystems and protected areas.
The 7th National Biodiversity Report engaged over 200 stakeholders and provided a national evidence base for future conservation investments.
Landscape-scale conservation advanced through establishment of the Merke Regional State Nature Park (86,632 ha) preparation of the Aral Ormany forest reserve feasibility study covering 1.3 million hectares of the dried Aral Sea bed with saxaul plants. Ecosystem restoration also supported the reintroduction of 17 kulans to the Ile-Balkhash reserve.
Work has continued on the implementation of the SMART Patrolling system. The system has been deployed in the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve and Ulytau National Park, contributing to enhanced monitoring effectiveness and strengthened biodiversity management and control. Overall, with the support of UNDP, more than 20 protected areas have been equipped with digital tools for biodiversity monitoring.
Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration
Through the FOLUR programme, UNDP launched innovative agricultural finance instruments supporting climate-resilient production systems and reducing risks for farmers.
Community implementation was expanded through the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme, supporting 25 projects across seven landscapes, improved the management of 26,399 hectares, reduced 34,633 tons of CO₂ emissions, mobilized $1.036 million in cofinancing, and benefited over 20,000 rural residents, thereby strengthening rural resilience.
National Climate Adaptation Framework and Public Awareness
With Green Climate Fund support, UNDP and the Ministry of Ecology finalized Kazakhstan’s draft National Adaptation Plan (NAP) covering priority climate-sensitive sectors.
A national Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment methodology was introduced and piloted through training of 351 specialists in 17 cities, strengthening institutional adaptation capacity nationwide.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Emergencies, UNDP developed a methodological national guide on assessing damage, losses, and needs following largescale emergencies, drawing on the adapted international PostDisaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) methodology and aligned with national legislation.
The relevance of this document is underscored by the increasing frequency and magnitude of emergencies in Kazakhstan and highlight the need for a unified, practiceoriented tool that enables rapid and comparable assessments of largescale disaster impacts and supports effective planning of recovery measures.
A sociological survey involving 3,500 citizens established the first national baseline on climate risk awareness. Climate education initiatives further expanded youth engagement through national competitions and climate learning programmes.
The “Climate Box” programme was adapted for Kazakhstan to raise climate change awareness, reaching over 500 students and 100 teachers.
Water Resilience and Flood Risk Management
Following the 2024 floods, UNDP scaled support to strengthen Kazakhstan’s water governance and flood risk management systems.
The development of flood-forecasting models for Kazakhstan’s key river basins (Yesil, Nura, Zhaiyk, and others) was supported, strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate and manage flooding events.
Building on this, UNDP also initiated comprehensive technical work on drought monitoring, including the development of national drought-forecasting tools based on global weather models and the establishment of an integrated drought earlywarning system. Together, these efforts enhance Kazakhstan’s overall climateresiliencearchitecture and support evidence-based decision-making for water and disaster-risk management.
Support to the new Water Code introduced ecosystem-based water management approaches, including environmental flow principles.
Technical assistance strengthened dam safety governance through development of Dam Safety Review methodologies, Emergency Preparedness Plans, hydraulic modelling tools and operational manuals supporting flood-risk assessment and early warning systems.
With Government of Japan financing ($2 million), a national dam safety initiative was launched. 70 operators responsible for 360 dams received specialized training. North Kazakhstan Region adopted a Climate and Disaster Risk Profile and became a member of Regional Urban Resilience Coalition.
UNDP supported development of Kazakhstan’s green finance ecosystem linking biodiversity protection, carbon markets and sustainable investment.
Through BIOFIN’s legislative proposals, revenues from protected areas are projected to increase sixfold by 2030, strengthening the financial sustainability of conservation systems.
Following UNDP’s support, the Government adopted National Standard 2993 on ecological tourism to enhance private sector responsibility for ecosystem services. The Standard provides the basis for the development of a certification mechanism for ecotourism entities, contributing to improved quality of tourism products while promoting responsible practices towards biodiversity conservation.
The strategic vision, approaches, and tourism routes have been defined to establishing the institutional and practical foundation for tourism development in the Ulytau region.
Amendments to the Forest Code enabled forest offset projects in the State Forest Fund under Kazakhstan’s Emissions Trading System. In addition, a dedicated methodology for afforestation projects within the State Forest Fund has been developed. Work also advanced Article 6 carbon market readiness, and national training systems for nature-based carbon projects.
A national roadmap for IFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosure standards was developed with the Ministry of Finance, while over 90 stakeholders participated in the first national assessment of nature-related financial disclosure readiness.
More than 2,000 students now study financial planning for protected areas every year, as it has been integrated into the curricula of three universities.
UNDP’s strong performance in Kazakhstan in 2025 — the final year of the CPD cycle — was driven by the continued strengthening of diverse, strategic partnerships. Collaboration across government, international finance, the private sector, civil society, and academia helped scale impact, strengthen national resilience, and advance the sustainable development agenda.
Our partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan remained the cornerstone of UNDP’s work, supporting institutional strengthening, governance reforms, and the integration of SDG monitoring into national planning and budgeting. Efforts focused on improving public services through innovative solutions, enhancing health system efficiency, advancing social protection, and reinforcing the national human rights framework.
Strategic partnerships with donors and international financial institutions were critical for resource mobilization. In 2025, UNDP Kazakhstan launched new partnerships that expanded its governance and digital transformation portfolio, securing support for an innovative programme linking environmental governance, digital public service reform, and AI-enabled decision-making.
The Mitigation Action Facility approved, for the first time in Central Asia, an initiative on “Reactive Power for Energy Savings”, developed by UNDP.
In addition, a new full-sized project proposal on the integrated management of seascapes in the Caspian Sea under Kazakhstan’s jurisdiction and adjacent land resources was submitted to and endorsed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), marking an important step toward mobilizing international financing for biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management in the Caspian Sea region.
Major advances were achieved in the water sector through a new tripartite partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan and the Eurasian Development Bank, and a landmark agreement with the Islamic Development Bank, positioning UNDP as a key partner in national water resilience and infrastructure development.
Strengthening gender-responsive institutions and policies
UNDP continued implementation of the second phase of the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions, supporting national partners in embedding gender-responsive mechanisms into institutional practices. With UNDP’s technical support, the Ministry of Culture and Information adopted the first comprehensive institutional Action Plan on Promoting Gender Equality, setting an important precedent for integrating gender equality commitments into institutional governance and planning processes.
At the policy level, UNDP contributed technical input to the SDG 5 chapter of Kazakhstan’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2025, strengthening the national narrative on gender equality. UNDP also supported the integration of gender considerations into key environmental frameworks, including the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), through gender analysis, development of a biodiversity gender action plan, and capacity-building for environmental stakeholders.
Expanding economic opportunities for women
UNDP strengthened engagement with the private sector and rural economy to promote inclusive economic opportunities for women. In 2025, resources were mobilized from a national holding company to launch gender equality and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) diagnostics across nine major enterprises, potentially affecting more than 250,000 employees and workers across their value chains. It marks one of the first systematic efforts in Kazakhstan to assess corporate policies and practices related to gender equality and human rights.
At the local level, the Digital Kyzylorda initiative supported 162 small entrepreneurs, nearly half of whom were women, through digital entrepreneurship training and business development skills, while also facilitating policy dialogue on inclusive digital governance with the National Commission on Women’s Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy.
Through the FOLUR, UNDP also advanced gender-responsive approaches in sustainable agriculture, launching a needs assessment on economic opportunities for women in the agricultural sector in North Kazakhstan to identify barriers and pathways for expanding women’s participation in green value chains and climate-resilient agriculture.
Preventing gender-based violence and strengthening safe environments
In partnership with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Astana Civil Service Hub, UNDP conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and safe workplace standards involving representatives from 19 central government institutions. The programme established a national pool of trainers and introduced a ready-to-use training package, including practical modules, case studies and facilitation guidance to support the further rollout of training across ministries. In total, over 250 public officials participated directly in trainings and expert lectures on harassment prevention, workplace ethics and gender-responsive organizational culture.
UNDP also addressed emerging forms of gender-based violence in digital spaces. Through the Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) youth programme supported by the Government of Japan, UNDP co-organized a regional Case Championship on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) together WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women. The initiative brought together university students and young professionals from Central Asia, who worked in multidisciplinary teams to develop practical solutions addressing online harassment, digital abuse and harmful gender norms in digital environments.
These efforts also laid the foundation for scaling gender equality initiatives beyond Kazakhstan. In 2025, UNDP Kazakhstan contributed to mobilizing EUR 5.2 million for the EU–UN regional programme “CHANGE – Challenging Harmful Attitudes and Norms for Gender Equality.” Implemented jointly with UN partners across Central Asia, the programme will support transformative actions to address harmful gender norms, prevent gender-based violence and expand women’s economic opportunities in the years ahead.
