LocationsStrategic session on sustainable regional development held in North Kazakhstan region
August 22, 2025
On 21 August 2025, a strategic session was held in the North Kazakhstan region to support the development of the Regional Development Programme for 2026–2030. The event brought together representatives from the regional Akimat, Maslikhat, the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, civil society, and other stakeholders. The session was part of the UNDP-GEF project “Promoting a Sustainable Agricultural Production System and Ecosystem Conservation in the North Kazakhstan Landscape” (FOLUR).
During the session, participants tested a methodology for functional-spatial zoning, assessed the applicability of a set of indicators, and developed proposals for inclusion in the draft Programme. Zones with potential and limitations were identified, along with internal imbalances affecting development. UNDP experts presented preliminary analytical findings and the indicator framework. The group work format enabled participants to design development scenarios across key thematic areas.
The relevance of the session is underscored by the region’s environmental and economic challenges. Over 75% of Kazakhstan’s agricultural soils are degraded, posing risks to food security and reducing the resilience of the agricultural sector. North Kazakhstan plays a pivotal role in national agricultural production and is one of four regions covered by the FOLUR project—alongside Akmola, Kostanay, and Pavlodar. In 2023, the total arable land area across these regions exceeded 17 million hectares, accounting for 71% of Kazakhstan’s total arable land.
FOLUR promotes a science-based approach to territorial development that goes beyond mapping and digital tools. It includes an economic and environmental analysis of territories, considering land degradation levels, biodiversity, water resources, and climate risks. This approach helps optimize land use, reduce sectoral conflicts, and preserve ecosystem functions.
The work is grounded in the integrated land-use planning methodology. This approach facilitates alignment across sectors, promotes sustainable natural resource management, and supports climate adaptation.
The session in North Kazakhstan marked a significant step toward implementing sustainable solutions that can be scaled to other regions of Kazakhstan. It strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration and laid the foundation for a comprehensive development programme that integrates environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
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