On 11th October, an online event of great significance was convened, marking a crucial milestone in the lead-up to COP29. Hosted by Narxoz University (Kazakhstan) in partnership with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the event gathered a wide array of participants, including prominent figures from academia, the business world, international organisations, and civil society, who united to discuss the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on the Eurasian region. The focal point of the event was the development of multi-stakeholder recommendations on how businesses and higher education institutions can collaborate to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take bold climate action.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Kanat Kozhakhmet, President of Narxoz University, who set the tone for the day by outlining the ambitious objectives of the session. He highlighted the imperative for business schools and academic institutions to step up their engagement in the global climate dialogue, especially as COP29 approaches. This was followed by an insightful keynote from Aleška Simkic, the European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan, who spoke about the EU’s ongoing efforts to support sustainable development initiatives across the region, underscoring the critical need for multi-lateral cooperation in addressing climate challenges.
Another prominent figure, Meirgul Alpysbayeva, UNESCO’s National Professional Officer for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, contributed to the discussion by presenting UNESCO’s perspective on the pivotal role education plays in climate action. She detailed the ways in which educational institutions can be leveraged to build resilience against climate change impacts in Central Asia.
The panel discussions were equally impressive. The first panel brought together government and business leaders, including Yerlan Zhumbayev, Director of the Central Asian Regional Environmental Center in Kazakhstan, and Yulia Yakupbayeva, Chair of the Sustainability Working Group at the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Kazakhstan. They explored the intersection of governmental policy and private sector initiatives, discussing how both sectors can collaboratively achieve the SDGs.
One of the distinguished speakers was Shakhboz Akhmedov, Deputy Director of IAIS and Head of the Centre for Sustainable Development. Mr. Akhmedov, a well-respected advocate for climate action and sustainability education, delivered a compelling presentation that resonated deeply with the audience. His speech emphasised the critical role that higher education must play in fostering the next generation of leaders equipped with the necessary “green skills” and knowledge to meet the challenges posed by climate change. He articulated the importance of integrating sustainable development into academic curricula, stressing that universities must serve as hubs of innovation and collaboration to inspire systemic change in business and government sectors alike. Mr. Akhmedov also shared further plans of the Institute for Advanced International Studies to establish a Centre for Water and Climate Diplomacy and a joint Master’s programme of UWED and TIIAME on water diplomacy.
His insights were echoed by other distinguished panellists, including Sherwat Elwan Ibrahim of the Business Schools for Climate Leadership Africa, and Alex Hope, a leading figure in the PRME Working Group on Climate Change and the Environment. Together, they discussed the importance of knowledge exchange between regions and sectors, stressing that the fight against climate change requires a united global effort, with education at its core.
The event culminated in the formulation of several actionable recommendations that will serve as the foundation for discussions at the upcoming COP29 in Baku, where global leaders will convene to negotiate international climate policies. The contributions of thought leaders like Shakhboz Akhmedov, alongside other distinguished speakers, have provided a clear pathway for academia and the private sector to play a critical role in advancing the climate agenda.
The event has set a precedent for future collaborations between business schools and industries in the Eurasian region. By focusing on sustainable management education, the dialogue has empowered participants to take forward these recommendations and implement them at both national and institutional levels. As the world turns its attention to COP29, the Eurasian region’s collective efforts will be instrumental in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.
