Kazakhstan to Plant Forests to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

On November 18, the British company SEFE Marketing & Trading Ltd. and Kazakhstan’s SAFC LLP signed an emission removal purchase agreement, marking the launch of the country’s first forest climate project. The project aims to plant 3.3 million trees across 1,500 hectares in the Almaty region. According to forecasts, the initiative will achieve an average annual reduction of 26 tons of CO₂ per hectare. Over the 30-year project period, this is expected to remove 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Additionally, the project is designed to promote agroforestry, ecotourism, and job creation in the region. During a meeting with one of SEFE's Vice-Presidents, Alexander Demidov, and SAFC's CEO Yuri Kim, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting environmental initiatives. “We strive to create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment in environmental projects. The government supports projects aimed at restoring ecosystems, reducing carbon footprint, and developing a green economy,” he stated. Kim added: “This project was supported by the President of Kazakhstan and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, and now we are starting its practical implementation. By combining the competencies of SEFE and SAFC, we will demonstrate Kazakhstan's broad capabilities for attracting foreign investment.” According to Atameken, the project not only lays the groundwork for others to follow suit but also leads the way for new investment opportunities in carbon farming. This approach marks a new stage in diversifying Kazakhstan’s economy, creating potential revenue streams from agricultural production and greenhouse gas emission trading. Kazakhstan’s forest climate initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to sustainability while attracting foreign investment to bolster its green economy.

Britain’s Cameron Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement in Astana

A strategic partnership and cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan and Great Britain was signed by the two countries' foreign ministers, Murat Nurtleu and David Cameron, in Astana on 24 April. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry has commented that the document aims to strengthen bilateral relations in a wide range of sectors including foreign policy and security, trade and investment, protection of intellectual property, partnerships in energy and raw materials, transportation, protection of the environment and climate change, banking and financial services, employment and social policy, science, and education. Nurtleu added: “This comprehensive agreement will be a significant step in taking political, trade and investment relations between Astana and London to new horizons… We believe our strong and mutually beneficial strategic partnership will continue to strengthen all areas, from energy to rare metals, ecology to education.” Cameron recalled that strategic dialogue between the countries had begun eleven years ago during his first visit to Kazakhstan as Britain’s prime minister and confirmed the UK’s commitment to developing cooperation with Kazakhstan as its key partner in Central Asia. Memoranda of understanding on opening a branch of Queen’s University Belfast in Almaty and launching Kazakh language courses at Oxford University were also concluded during Cameron’s visit. At a meeting with Cameron later that day, Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reiterated the importance of collaboration between the two countries and commending the strategic partnership and cooperation agreement, announced, “I am confident that this comprehensive document will definitely give a fresh boost to our multifaceted bilateral agenda.” Great Britain is among the highest ten foreign investors in Kazakhstan. Since 2005, Kazakhstan’s economy has received $17 billion in FDI from the UK and last year alone, over $795 million .