Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals discussed at International Conference in Astana

In Astana, within the framework of the Second High-Level International Conference "Sustainable Development in Eurasia," thematic sessions were held dedicated to the implementation results of the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030, the formation of a new global agenda, and discussions on the key challenges of sustainable development.

The first session, titled "Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Implementation Results," was moderated by Igor Yurgens, Director of the MGIMO Center for Sustainable Development. Participants discussed the preliminary results of implementing the UN 2030 Agenda, key achievements, and the limitations of the current SDG model. The focus was also on global progress toward achieving the sustainable development goals, the impact of modern crises, and potential approaches to shaping the post-2030 agenda.

During the session, the main points of the address by Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, were presented. In his address, he noted the need to return issues of peace and conflict prevention to the center of the global development agenda. Among the key directions for further work, he highlighted the localization of SDGs, the development of digital public infrastructure, investments in human capital, and the strengthening of regional cooperation in Eurasia.

Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the UN Commission on International Trade Law, emphasized that modern commercial law mechanisms are becoming an important tool for sustainable development. According to her, legal harmonization and the development of digital trade make it possible to reduce transaction costs, expand access to international markets, and strengthen trust in the global investment system.

The second session, "Perspectives on Sustainable Development Goals Beyond 2030," was moderated by Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia. During the session, participants discussed possible scenarios for the development of the SDG system after 2030. Special attention was paid to approaches regarding the future architecture of the SDGs, including maintaining the universal model, focusing on priority areas, and strengthening regional cooperation formats followed by global coordination.

Within the framework of the special session "Energy for Sustainable Development Goals," moderated by Valerie Ducrot, Executive Director of the Global Gas Centre, the role of energy as one of the key factors for sustainable development, industrial competitiveness, and regional stability in Kazakhstan and Eurasia was discussed. Participants addressed the prospects of the energy transition, environmental issues, the development of "green" corridors, energy security, and the development of new models for regional cooperation.

Turar Alimzhan, Director of the Renewable Energy Department of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted that sustainable development in energy is becoming not only an environmental challenge but also an economic and technological one. According to him, Kazakhstan continues its systematic work to ensure energy security, develop gasification, and increase the share of renewable energy sources.

It was noted that Kazakhstan possesses significant potential in the fields of wind, solar, and hydropower. Currently, there are 169 renewable energy facilities operating in the country with a total capacity of about 3.7 GW. In the long term, priorities will include the development of energy storage systems, modernization of the power grid infrastructure, digitalization of energy systems, and the creation of conditions to build export potential for "green" energy and hydrogen.

The final session, "Threats and Challenges to the Sustainable Development Goals System," was moderated by Artem Malgin, First Vice-Rector of MGIMO. The session was dedicated to analyzing global political, economic, and institutional changes affecting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants discussed the impact of geo-economic transformation, the crisis of multilateral institutions, international conflicts, and the growing fragmentation of the global economy on the future of the global sustainable development agenda. Special attention was paid to the resilience of the international SDG system and possible scenarios for its transformation under the changing world order.

Following the discussions, the conference participants emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation, develop new financing mechanisms, expand technological partnerships, and form a more resilient and equitable global development system beyond 2030.