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Almaty, August 2025 ā In a landmark move to accelerate sustainable development and ethical business practices, the United Nations Global Compact has officially launched the Central Asia Network, connecting over 140 companies across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. This multi-country initiative marks the regionās formal integration into the worldās largest corporate sustainability platform.
š¤ A Unified Regional Approach to Sustainability
The Central Asia Network aims to harmonize efforts across five nations to advance corporate governance, implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote responsible business conduct. Until now, sustainability initiatives in the region have largely operated in isolation. The new network seeks to dismantle these silos by fostering:
- Joint training programs
- Regional dialogue and collaboration
- Cross-border business alliances
With over 60% of the regionās population under the age of 30, the initiative responds to growing demand for an economic model rooted in ethics, opportunity, and environmental stewardship.
š Tools for Transformation
Participating companies will gain access to global resources, training, and peer networks to strengthen transparency, decarbonization strategies, and ethical labor practices. The initiative also aims to attract responsible investment and support green growth amid Central Asiaās rapid political and economic transformation.
š£ Leadership Commentary
āCentral Asia sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and is entering a period of rapid economic and political transformation,ā said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. āBy launching a Country Network here, we are anchoring responsible investment and sustainability into this dynamic corridor, and harnessing the regionās untapped private-sector potential to drive green growth, improve transparency, and foster social cohesion.ā
Dinara Seijaparova, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Central Asia Network, emphasized the urgency and opportunity:
āAt this pivotal moment, businesses in Central Asia must seize the first-mover advantage to set their own sustainability agenda. The UN Global Compact will convene government, business, and civil society across Central Asia to build trust, foster cross-border partnerships, and unlock billions in investment for the SDGsāensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with social inclusion and environmental resilience.ā
š A Regional Platform with Global Impact
The launch of the Central Asia Network signals the UN Global Compactās commitment to regional empowerment and localized action. It positions Central Asia as a rising force in global sustainability efforts, capable of shaping the future of responsible business in one of the worldās most strategically important corridors.