Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Alexander Demidov, Vice President for Asset Management of the British company SEFE Marketing & Trading Limited, and Yuri Kim, Director of Kazakhstan's SAFC, to discuss the launch of the first forest climate project in Kazakhstan. This meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts aimed at environmental sustainability and carbon reduction.
As part of a Memorandum signed during the World Climate Summit COP 28 in Dubai in December 2023, a formal Agreement was signed today in Astana between SEFE Marketing & Trading and SAFC. The Agreement outlines investments from SEFE in forest planting and carbon unit generation over a period of 30 years.
The project, located in the Almaty region, will cover 1,500 hectares and involve planting 3.3mn trees, including poplars, elms, and other native species such as turanga, birch, ash, and sea buckthorn. Water-saving technologies and intensive agricultural techniques will be used for optimal growth. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 26 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually, contributing to a total reduction of 1.2mn tons of CO₂ over 30 years.
In addition to carbon offset, the initiative aims to foster agroforestry, ecotourism, and job creation, providing both environmental and economic benefits to the region.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in achieving environmental balance.
"Forest restoration is a key priority for Kazakhstan," he stated. "We aim to create favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment into environmental projects and are committed to supporting initiatives that restore ecosystems, reduce the carbon footprint, and contribute to a green economy."
During the meeting, Demidov and Kim highlighted the project's significance not only for Kazakhstan but also for the wider Central Asian region. They described the initiative as a model of effective collaboration between business, government, and international partners, marking a significant step in Kazakhstan's environmental and sustainability goals.
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