2nd High-Level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia”

1 June 2026

On 28–29 May, the 2nd High-Level International Conference “Sustainable Development in Eurasia” was held in Astana at the initiative of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The conference was organised by MGIMO, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, in cooperation with Boris Titov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Relations with International Organisations to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and with the support of the Priority 2030 programme.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a welcoming address to the conference participants, which was delivered by Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The President noted that, amid the fragmentation of the global economy, climate change and the rapid development of digital technologies, the sustainable development paradigm promoted under the auspices of the United Nations remains a key factor in international stability and progress. “At the same time, it is clear that the emergence of unprecedented threats to global stability calls for an entirely new approach to establishing a rational balance between economic growth, social justice and environmental responsibility,” the address stated.

Erlan Sydykov, Rector of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, highlighted Central Asia's historical and cultural role as a space for dialogue between civilisations and the exchange of ideas. He stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without a firm foundation in core values and a sense of responsibility towards future generations. The Rector placed particular emphasis on international university cooperation in the development of green technologies and artificial intelligence, the sustainable management of water resources, security, and the transformation of science and education.

Welcoming the participants, MGIMO Rector and Academician Anatoly Torkunov noted that the conference had evolved from a bilateral Russian-Kazakhstani platform into a prominent international forum bringing together experts from different regions of the world. The forthcoming development of the global sustainable development agenda beyond 2030 lends particular relevance to the discussions. “Our conference today is structured around an assessment of what has been achieved at previous stages of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and an outlook on the future. Colleagues representing a wide range of countries will share assessments based on their national experience in implementing the Goals. Particular attention will be paid to energy issues and the international political and institutional context of SDG implementation,” the Rector noted.

During the first session, moderated by Minister Sayasat Nurbek, participants discussed how to preserve the SDGs as an effective instrument of global development and prevent them from becoming an unattainable declaration of intent.

Asan Darbayev, Vice Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke about the country's implementation of the sustainable development agenda. He noted that Kazakhstan systematically integrates the SDGs into national planning, promotes a green economy and pursues a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Saranga Radnaragcha, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, noted that despite the growing discussion of the post-2030 agenda, the priority remains the implementation of the existing Sustainable Development Goals. At present, only around 18% of the SDG targets worldwide are on track, while Kazakhstan demonstrates a considerably higher figure of approximately 40%.

Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, emphasised that Kazakhstan, as a key transit and energy hub in Eurasia, views the SDGs as an integral part of its practical development strategy. He also noted that Samruk-Kazyna, the region's largest sovereign wealth fund, incorporates sustainability principles into its investment and operational activities.

Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, stressed that the post-2030 agenda should be more action-oriented, with stronger financing mechanisms, new partnership models and expanded regional cooperation, particularly across Eurasia.

Thierry de Montbrial, Founder of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) and the World Policy Conference, and MGIMO Honorary Professor, noted that growing fragmentation of the international system makes achieving the Sustainable Development Goals increasingly challenging. At the same time, he stressed that recognising our shared responsibility for the planet's future and the importance of developing a global approach is more essential than ever.

Boris Titov called for a stronger focus on concrete, achievable projects and a transition to a polycentric implementation model based on coalitions of interested countries and stakeholders. He also proposed establishing the Astana Group to develop recommendations for updating the post-2030 agenda.

Vuk Jeremić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia (2007–2012), President of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly and President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), also highlighted the growing challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals amid increasing global fragmentation. At the same time, he stressed that the SDGs remain a valuable and relevant framework for development.

The next session, devoted to a preliminary assessment of progress towards the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda, brought together a distinguished group of participants and experts from various countries. The discussion of the key achievements and limitations of the current SDG framework featured representatives of international organisations, academia and government institutions: Mansur Oshurbaev, Vice Minister of Ecology of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic (2009–2010, 2012–2020); Dmitry Maryasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); Dmitry Konov, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Science Foundation; Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); Nurgul Zhannazarova, Director of the Department for Social Development, Law Enforcement and Special Bodies at the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Animesh Kumar, Associate Professor at the WTO Research Centre, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade; and Jorge Laguna-Celis, Research Fellow at the New York University Center on International Cooperation and Head of the UN One Planet Network. The session was moderated by Igor Yurgens, Director of the MGIMO Centre for Sustainable Development.

Participants analysed the reasons behind the slow progress towards achieving the SDGs. Dmitry Konov noted that, over the past decade, progress had remained insufficient and highly uneven, both across countries and individual areas. Achieving the SDGs requires moving beyond a formal set of indicators towards a more balanced system of priorities based on the interdependence of the economy, society and the environment, while increasing investment in sustainable development, particularly in energy, infrastructure and climate projects. Experts also discussed artificial intelligence and digital technologies as a major emerging factor shaping the future of development. These technologies could become a new driver of progress or, conversely, a new source of threats and inequality.

The following session, dedicated to the future of the global sustainable development agenda beyond 2030, reflected the diversity of expert perspectives on the future of the SDGs. It brought together government officials and academics from across Central Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Participants included Nurlan Aldamzharov, Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Chol Bunnag, Associate Professor at Thammasat University (Thailand); Hamza Saoudi, Senior Economist at the Policy Center for the New South (Morocco); Kubayi Mikatekhiso, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg (South Africa); Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda, Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Nicolas Bouzou, Co-founder and Chairman of the Greater Paris Alliance for the Development of Metropolitan Areas and Co-editor of the international Intersecting project; and Igor Makarov, Head of the School of World Economy and Director of the Institute of Natural Resources Economics and Climate Change at HSE University. The discussion was moderated by Vuk Jeremić.

Participants agreed that the existing model requires substantial rethinking. Experts considered several possible scenarios for transforming the SDG framework: retaining a universal model, focusing on priority areas, or strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms followed by global coordination. They also discussed how to move beyond formal compliance with indicators towards tangible results, the expanding role of BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and other regional associations in shaping the new agenda, and ways to strike a balance between technological progress and sustainable development.

A separate session focused on the role of energy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants discussed how the energy sector could become a foundation for industrial competitiveness, climate resilience and regional cooperation as the post-2030 agenda takes shape. The discussion covered the development of cross-border energy corridors, attracting investment in infrastructure and establishing international cooperation mechanisms for energy projects. Speakers included Valérie Ducrot, Executive Director of the Global Gas Centre; Alimzhan Turar, Director of the Renewable Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Eran Edirisinghe, Dean of Research at the University of Central Asia; and Habil Ahmed Khan, CEO of Welt Konnect.

The concluding session addressed the threats and challenges facing the SDG framework. The discussion featured Grigory Marchenko, Adviser to the Chairman of the Management Board of the Eurasian Development Bank and Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (1999–2004 and 2009–2013); John Desmond Forbes, Founder of MSME World; Lord Waverley; Clifford Kupchan, Chairman and Director of Research at Eurasia Group; Janis Urbanovich, President of the Baltic Forum NGO; and Igor Yurgens, Director of the MGIMO Centre for Sustainable Development. The session was moderated by Artem Malgin, MGIMO First Vice-Rector.

Experts noted that, in recent years, environmental objectives have become increasingly intertwined with energy security, industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty. Drawing on the examples of the United States, the European Union, China and Russia, participants demonstrated how global climate commitments are being adapted to national development priorities and the changing international landscape. They also highlighted the need to reform the international financial architecture.

The plenary session concluded with an address by Jeffrey Sachs, Professor at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. He reiterated a point that had emerged in various forms throughout the conference: sustainable development requires regional cooperation and concerted efforts by states. Central Asian countries share ecosystems, water resources, energy systems and transport corridors. Clearly, addressing many of the region's major challenges requires joint action at the regional level.

Professor Sachs placed particular emphasis on the role of science, technology and innovation in achieving the SDGs. He highlighted the high levels of education and human capital across the region. Central Asia also has considerable potential for developing renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and modern water management systems. In conclusion, Sachs described Central Asia as one of Eurasia's key regions, capable of becoming an important link between East and West. He called on countries in the region to strengthen cooperation, develop long-term strategic planning and make greater use of technological advances to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

One of the conference's practical outcomes was an agreement to continue the work of the international expert community established through this initiative. The Astana Forum will become a regular platform for discussing sustainable development issues and developing recommendations to improve the global SDG framework.

The conference concluded with an informal outdoor gathering, made possible by the wonderful weather in hospitable Astana.

A number of bilateral meetings between conference participants and representatives of the leadership of Kazakhstan's ministries and government agencies, as well as the leadership of the organising universities, also took place on the sidelines of the conference.

The event was organised with the support of the MGIMO Endowment and the MGIMO Alumni Association.