NUR-SULTAN, May 14, 2021 – On her first official visit to Kazakhstan, Anna Bjerde, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, acknowledged the country’s efforts to transition to a green economy and pledged the World Bank’s continued support to ensuring a post-pandemic resilient recovery. During the trip, Ms. Bjerde met with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin, as well as other key government officials.
Speaking with President Tokayev, Ms. Bjerde commended Kazakhstan’s commitment to a comprehensive reform program aimed at a greener, more inclusive and sustainable economy, and the country’s new approach to listening to citizens views to help achieve this goal.
“Kazakhstan’s transition to a green economy will require shifts in energy generation, with significant impacts on employment and regional development, as well as planning for alternative sources of revenue and growth”, said Ms. Bjerde. “It will be critical to ensure that no one is left behind, and the World Bank stands ready to support Kazakhstan on this important journey.”
Ms. Bjerde acknowledged the country’s establishment of an Emission Trading Scheme, the first in the region, which is a market-based instrument for helping meet Kazakhstan’s Nationally Determined Contribution target towards the goal of limiting global warming. Ms. Bjerde underlined that further strengthening of this instrument would be essential in keeping the country’s exports competitive, as green import policies around the world are getting tighter on carbon-intensive goods.
Discussing the regional agenda, Ms. Bjerde emphasized the Bank’s support for deepening relations among Central Asian countries. In particular, she highlighted opportunities for growth between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and the Bank’s potential assistance in promoting greater trade, transport and energy links, as well as support for recovery of economic activities in the Aral Sea basin.
At the meeting with Prime Minister Mamin Ms. Bjerde discussed recent economic developments and post-COVID recovery prospects for the country. The parties also signed a Loan Agreement in the amount of 460 million Euros for the Sustainable Livestock Development Program for Results. The project will support implementation of the government’s long-term vision of substantially increasing beef production and meat exports while introducing state-of-the-art farming and agri-environmental practices to foster environmental sustainability in the beef sector.
At the same time, Ms. Bjerde emphasized the World Bank Group’s readiness to further mobilize its technical expertise, knowledge and financial instruments in support of new projects aimed at accelerating a post-pandemic recovery in transport, digital, energy and environment, and financial and human capital development.
The visit also included an informal high-level roundtable with the Ministries of National Economy, Ecology and Energy, as well as other key government institutions responsible for the development of a green, resilient and inclusive economy. The discussion focused on approaches to achieving green growth, creating jobs, risk management, green financing constraints, and private sector engagement.
Ms. Bjerde is visiting Central Asia for the first time in her capacity as Vice President for Europe and Central Asia. After visits to Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, Ms. Bjerde is also visiting Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Kazakhstan joined the World Bank Group in July 1992. Over 29 years, the World Bank has become a major development partner for Kazakhstan by supporting a diverse range of policy areas – from finances and social services to critical infrastructure for a total of more than $8 billion. The current Country Partnership Framework for 2020-2025 is aligned with the government’s comprehensive reform program and provides a broad range of financial instruments and analytical tools to help Kazakhstan recover and ease the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
