LocationsKazakhstan hosts expanded meeting on Sustainable Development Goals
December 13, 2024
An expanded meeting of the Parliamentary Commission on Monitoring the Implementation of National Goals and Objectives for Sustainable Development was held in Astana. The event was attended by representatives of the parliaments of Central Asian countries.
Chaired by the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Maulen Ashimbayev, participants discussed the role of parliaments and local representative bodies in ensuring the sustainable development of the region. Particular attention was given to strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue to address shared challenges, such as climate change, water resource shortages, and socio-economic inequalities.
The meeting also included members of the government, representatives of international organizations, and the civil society representative. Discussions focused on the development of green energy, ensuring water security, and expanding economic cooperation in the region.
Opening the meeting, Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized the importance of joint efforts, referencing the "Central Asia-2040" regional cooperation concept and Kazakhstan's commitment to the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
"In August this year, at the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States, the Concept for the Development of Regional Cooperation 'Central Asia-2040' was adopted, outlining guidelines for further multilateral interaction for sustainable development. Today, our countries have intensified cooperation across almost all significant areas, including the economy, trade relations, the social sphere, culture, education, and scientific collaboration,"the Speaker of the Senate highlighted.
He also noted the need for active participation of local government bodies and the exchange of experience among countries to advance this agenda.
Speaking at the event, Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, stated,
"Parliaments play a unique and indispensable role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by acting as guarantors of inclusivity and accountability. They can become true 'game changers’, helping to integrate sustainable development principles into national laws, budgets, and monitoring processes, creating platforms for dialogue and ensuring transparency."
She also emphasized the importance of uniting the parliaments of Central Asia around a shared SDG agenda, as enhanced partnership will ensure policy and action coherence in the best interests of the people and the region as a whole. A unified SDG agenda will also enable effective responses to the challenges including climate change, economic growth, gender equality, and poverty reduction.
At the panel session dedicated to the integration of the SDGs into legislative processes, Ainur Baimyrza, UNDP Head of the Governance unit, highlighted the importance of harmonizing national laws with the global sustainability agenda. In her speech, she emphasized that legislative reforms are a key step in creating conditions for the effective implementation of the SDGs, as well as the need for a systematic approach that includes assessing the needs for legislative integration. Special attention was given to the introduction of impact assessments of draft laws on the SDGs, which will help improve the quality and transparency of the legislative process.
Globally, UNDP collaborates with over 65 parliamentary bodies, strengthening their institutional roles and effective interaction with ministries, local governments, oversight bodies, and civil society. UNDP’s support focuses on enhancing the representativeness and accountability of parliaments, training legislators in areas such as legislative analysis, gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development, as well as improving transparency through the use of technology, data analysis tools, and better financial mechanisms.
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