The UN Global Compact SDG Ambition Accelerator Program recently came to a close with an award ceremony held at the UN Plaza in Almaty on March 28. This six-month educational initiative, designed by UN experts, aimed to speed up the integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into the strategic and operational aspects of businesses.
From October 2023 to March 2024, the program provided dedicated training for Central Asian countries and offered support for representatives from 40 companies in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Companies such as Jusan Bank, KazMunayGas, Satbayev University, and Kazatomprom shared their best practices with participants.
According to UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, Michaela Friberg-Storey, there has been a growing interest among local businesses in SDG initiatives. This is evident with the recent launch of the Business and Human Rights Accelerator in February and the upcoming Climate Ambition Accelerator in May. Friberg-Storey emphasized that businesses play a pivotal role as key stakeholders in achieving sustainable development goals.
The Accelerator Programme has been successful in promoting growth, creating job opportunities, and fostering innovation to address social challenges. It has also actively involved businesses in fighting climate change. Currently, there are 62 companies from Kazakhstan that are members of the UN Global Compact.
