Responsible Business Conduct in Infrastructure Development in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia
08.04.2025
On April 2, 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) held a webinar dedicated to the importance of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) in the context of sustainable infrastructure development. The event presented the OECD’s preliminary analytical findings on the integration of RBC principles into the implementation of infrastructure projects. Participants discussed current challenges, best practices, and practical measures to improve the regulatory and legal framework in this area.
Marat Nauruzov, a representative of the Secretariat of Kazakhstan’s National Contact Point (NCP), participated in the webinar. The central topic of the event was the discussion of the due diligence concept within the framework of RBC, aimed at preventing and mitigating adverse impacts across operational chains and among business partners. The key stages of the due diligence process were presented, including the integration of RBC into corporate policy, risk management, monitoring, and reporting. Experts emphasized that RBC contributes to the protection of human rights and the environment, strengthens business resilience, and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate objectives. Legal and policy measures to reduce the negative impact of infrastructure projects were also discussed. Among the challenges identified were environmental and social risks, corruption, and unsafe working conditions. Proposed solutions included strengthening standards, introducing technological innovations, and developing human rights protection mechanisms. The discussion also covered the conditions necessary for the effective implementation of RBC: national action plans, stakeholder engagement, and the removal of administrative barriers. Special emphasis was placed on the role of the state, including sustainable public procurement, ESG strategies, and the experience of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in implementing sustainable finance mechanisms and mandatory reporting requirements. The webinar also featured presentations from representatives of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. From Kazakhstan, Saltanat Almurzayeva, Head of the Expert Evaluation Department at the Bureau of Best Available Techniques of the Non-profit Joint Stock Company “International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects”, delivered a report highlighting the importance of integrating RBC principles into infrastructure projects. She identified Best Available Techniques (BAT) as a key tool for reducing environmental and public health impacts, stressing that successful implementation requires continuous cooperation between government, business, and civil society. The webinar also showcased the work of the Central Asian Technology Bureau, established to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote sustainable technology solutions in the region. Among the pressing challenges, Saltanat Almurzayeva pointed out limited resources, a shortage of qualified specialists, and insufficient business awareness of international sustainability standards. From Uzbekistan, Tengiz Asanov noted that RBC is a key instrument for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. He reported on the establishment of an RBC Working Group, an Investment Review serving as the basis for the national roadmap, and the introduction of mandatory ESG reporting. Tengiz Asanov emphasized tha.organizations undergo compliance checks with labor and environmental standards, and that Uzbekistan remains open to adopting international best practices. The webinar reaffirmed the critical importance of Responsible Business Conduct as an integral component of sustainable infrastructure development. The discussions demonstrated that Central Asian countries are taking active steps to integrate RBC principles into national policy and practice. At the same time, participants noted the continuing need to further strengthen the regulatory framework, institutional coordination, and transparency mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability.
Views: 117 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
