Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world, with a population of 18 million. It is the largest economy in Central Asia, mainly due to the country's vast natural resources.
While Kazakhstan’s economy is heavily reliant on extractive industry, the country has embarked on a transition to a greener, more sustainable economy. At the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26 (Glasgow, November 2021), Kazakhstan announced its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Our partnership
The EU supports Kazakhstan to achieve sustainable economic growth, in line with the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the EU and Kazakhstan, which entered into force on 1 March 2020. This agreement, the first of its kind signed by the EU with a Central Asian partner, provides a broad framework for reinforced political dialogue, comprehensive sectoral cooperation and promotion of mutual trade and investments. The EU Strategy on Central Asia of June 2019, together with the related Council conclusions of June 2019, and the Global Gateway Strategy provide the EU’s overall regional framework for engagement.
The EU adopted a Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the period 2021-27 under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). Under that framework, the EU allocated €16 million to support its partnership with Kazakhstan over 2021-27. Kazakhstan also benefits from a number of EU regional programmes and investments under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), Global Gateway’s main financial tool.
Our flagship initiatives
Team Europe in Kazakhstan focuses its action on several key sectors:
Critical raw materials (CRM) and renewable hydrogen - to increase the resilience of CRM supply chains, to harmonise the regulatory framework in the CRM industry and to achieve mutual recognition of the quality of products, through a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Kazakhstan on a strategic partnership in the fields of raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen signed in November 2022. Renewable hydrogen will be part of the Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change
Water, climate change and energy - to improve regional integrated water-energy resource management, promote food security, decent jobs, and growth and sustainable development in Central Asia, as well as increased investment for a green transition through a dedicated regional Team Europe Initiative
Digital connectivity - to establish an enabling environment for digital connectivity, promote regulatory and legislative reforms, and last mile access for vulnerable communities, and cybersecurity, by following higher standards in terms of sustainability and inclusiveness through a dedicated regional Team Europe Initiative
Transport - the EU also commits strongly to strengthen its engagement for improving transport connectivity along the Trans-Caspian Corridor with Central Asia, including with Turkmenistan, following the recommendations of the Study on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and Central Asia
Sustainable economic growth - to promote a more diverse, green and circular economy, with emphasis on women and youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
Rule of law - to strengthen the existing legal framework and institutions
Democracy, human rights and civil society - to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations and their role as local governance and accountability actors, and as promoters of inclusive and sustainable growth