The process of preparing Kazakhstan for COP-26 and the issues of improving low-carbon regulation in the country and abroad were the subject of discussion at the round table “TRANSITION TO COP-26 AND LOW CARBON REGULATION”,which took place on May 5 this year. The event was organized by the “Green Academy”  Research and Education Center together with Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan EU Delegation and World Bank in  Kazakhstan.

It was attended by representatives of state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, embassies of foreign countries, the EU, the World Bank, international experts from Russia, scientists, business and NGOs, teachers and undergraduates of the ASU under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 80 people in total.

The round table was opened with a welcoming speech by the rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan  Dr. Yerlan Abil and the head of the Policy, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Maciej Madalinsky. The preamble of the event was information on the preparation for COP-26 and the development of the draft Concept of low-carbon development of Kazakhstan, presented by the moderator of the event – a member of the Council for the transition of the Republic of Kazakhstan to a “green” economy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, director of the REC “Green Academy”, Doctor of Economics, Professor Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina.

The questions for discussion were the reports of the speakers:

– Senior Environmental Specialist for Central Asia, Head of the World Bank Sector Mr. John Bryant Collier  on Kazakhstan’s national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the role of carbon regulation;

– General Director of “Carbon Lab” (Russia) Dr. Mikhail Yulkin on the mechanisms of EU carbon import regulation (CBAM) and its impact on the economy of Kazakhstan and Russia;

– SDG expert, Dr.  Yerlik Karazhan on the international experience of the use of Low Carbon Tax;

– Co-chairman of the ALE “Kazakhstan Electric Power Association”, Dr. Daulet Akhmetov on the issues of decarbonization of the electric power industry in Kazakhstan;

– Advisor to the Chairman of the AIFC / PhD student of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askhat  Kozhumov on the priorities for improving carbon regulation in Kazakhstan. As a result of the discussion, the speakers and participants of the round table gave suggestions and recommendations for further improvement of low-carbon regulation and the formation of Kazakhstan’s position on COP-26.