ERI Chairman Speaks at an Official Side Event of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York
10.07.2026
 Birzhan Batkeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of the Economic Research Institute JSC (ERI), spoke at an official side event of the 2026 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2026), held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The session, titled "Strengthening the Role of the Private Sector in Integrated Transitions for People and Planet through SDG 17" wa.organized by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) in cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, with the support of the Permanent Missions of Kazakhstan, Colombia, and Uganda to the United Nations. The event brought together representatives of governments, internationa.organizations, the private sector, the expert community, and civil society to discuss how partnerships under Sustainable Development Goal 17 can help align economic development with climate, environmental, and social priorities. Birzhan Batkeyev participated at the invitation of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development and presented Kazakhstan's approach to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. He emphasized that, for Kazakhstan, SDG 17 is not merely a declarative framework but a practical policy coordination tool that brings together the efforts of the government, businesses, and international partners around the country's long-term development priorities. In his remarks, the ERI Chairman highlighted the key pillars of Kazakhstan's experience, including the establishment of a national SDG coordination system, the integration of sustainable development principles into budgeting and strategic planning, the consideration of regional priorities in SDG implementation, and the country's consistent efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Particular attention was also given to the role of the private sector and the growing adoption of ESG approaches in investment policy. The increasing number of Kazakhstan.organizations joining the UN Global Compact reflects the growing commitment of businesses and public institutions to international sustainability standards. The session was moderated by Namit Agarwal, Head of the People Benchmark at the World Benchmarking Alliance. Other speakers included Claudia Fuentes Julio, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights at the United Nations; Godfrey Kwoba, Deputy Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations; Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development; Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Senior Vice President for Global Initiatives at USCIB; Charlotte Reeves, Head of Multilateral Engagement at the World Benchmarking Alliance; as well as representatives of the Permanent Missions that supported the event. Participants emphasized that SDG 17 has evolved beyond a mechanism for mobilizing external assistance and is increasingly becoming a foundation for building trust, fostering shared responsibility, and promoting coordinated action. They also noted that the role of the state is not to replace the private sector, but to establish predictable rules, long-term policy direction, and incentives that encourage private investment in sustainable development. Summing up the discussion, Birzhan Batkeyev noted that economic growth, climate responsibility, and social progress reinforce one another when supported by strong institutions, high-quality data, and effective partnerships. The Economic Research Institute JSC will continue to promote Kazakhstan's experience on international platforms, strengthen expert cooperation with international partners, and study global best practices to support sustainable and inclusive development. 
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