Respect, trust and safety in the workplace

Ethics officers undergo training on creating an ethical environment in the public sector

June 26, 2025

Group portrait of diverse professionals in formal attire, posing in a conference setting. — Photo: UNDP Kazakhstan/Batyr Aubakirov

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, together with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (APA) and with the support of the Astana Civil Service Hub, is holding a two-day training for trainers on the topic “Ethical and Safe Environment in the Public Service”.

More than 30 ethics officers from central government agencies are taking part in the training, which is based on international approaches and adapted to the Kazakhstan’s context.

“A safe and ethical environment is a necessary condition for building an effective civil service and enables every civil servant to realize their potential,”

noted Alikhan Baimenov, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub.

Building the culture of respect, fairness and professional responsibility is one of the important areas of development of the public service of Kazakhstan in the context of the implementation of the Concept of Development of the Public Service of Kazakhstan. A special role in this is given to the ethics officers who are responsible for compliance with the standards of official ethics and the prevention of wrongdoings in the public service.

The training focuses on preventing and responding to unacceptable behaviour in the workplace, including harassment, abuse of power, and violation of business communication boundaries.

Conference panel with five speakers and a large presentation screen in a wooden room.

A woman speaks at a conference table, with UN and Kazakhstan flags in the background.

Two men seated at a conference table, speaking, with water glasses in front of them.

A speaker stands at a podium in a conference room, addressing an audience.

Two women sit in white chairs, attentively listening during a conference, with others behind them.

Woman speaking at a podium with a glass of water, red curtains in the background.

A conference room with seated attendees, red curtains, and a spacious layout.

A man in a suit stands holding a microphone, speaking in a conference room with wooden walls.

Photo: UNDP Kazakhstan/Batyr Aubakirov

“Inclusion, safety and ethics are the foundation of citizens’ trust in the state. By supporting ethics officers, we strengthen the sustainability of the entire public administration system,” —

highlighted Sukhrob Khojimatov, acting Resident Representative of UNDP in Kazakhstan.

Three men in suits seated at a table during a conference, with a presentation screen behind them. — Photo: UNDP Kazakhstan/Batyr Aubakirov

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population initiated the development of amendments to the Labor Code, providing for concepts, procedures for filing complaints and the obligations of employers to prevent harassment. Back in 2022, the Ministry of Culture and Information became the first government agency to approve an internal policy on protection against harassment in the workplace.

UNDP continues to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to create an inclusive, safe and fair work environment where every employee feels respected and protected.