The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation concluded two online training sessions on April 2 and 9, 2025, as part of the global Sustainability Disclosure and Management Hubs (SDMHs) Programme. Organized under the EU Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub (SFAH) and facilitated by UNDP’s Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S) initiative, these webinars brought together over 300 participants from Kazakhstan and beyond to strengthen national sustainability reporting and impact management systems.

The sessions served as a platform for dialogue and capacity building, equipping both public and private sector stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to implement robust sustainability management and disclosure practices in alignment with global standards.

Expert insights were shared by global leaders in sustainability, including Bella Cheng (IFRS Foundation), Camila Corradi Bracco (Global Reporting Initiative), Sally Swingewood (ISO), and Sebastián Welisiejko (GSG Impact), among others.

Key takeaways from the webinars

During these webinars, experts shared their knowledge on integrating sustainable practices and standards into organizational activities. Participants were introduced to the new IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2) and learned about the compatibility of various sustainability standards.

A significant focus was on the new IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. These international standards help organizations report clearly and consistently on how environmental and social issues may affect their business. For example, how a company is dealing with climate risks or seizing opportunities in the green economy. By using these standards, companies provide investors and stakeholders with a clearer picture of their long-term sustainability strategy.

The webinars emphasized that sustainability is not just about reporting—it’s about effective management. Companies that have strong internal systems, such as those following ISO’s Management System Standards, are better equipped to achieve their sustainability goals. Clear and honest reporting helps them improve over time, gain the trust of investors, and access new forms of sustainable finance.

A key takeaway from the webinars is that reporting and managing sustainability are interconnected. Better data leads to better decisions, and transparency makes it easier for companies to attract funding and perform well over the long term.

The webinars underscored the mutually reinforcing cycle between disclosure and management, highlighting how credible data enhances transparency, facilitates resource mobilization, and drives long-term performance.

These sessions were part of UNDP’s broader effort to establish national processes for advancing sustainability disclosure, encouraging alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mobilizing private sector action for a just and inclusive green transition.