Kazakhstan to Showcase New Carbon Market Architecture at the COP31 Climate Summit in Antalya

On November 13, the National Pavilion of Kazakhstan at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) will host a dedicated session focused on developing the national carbon market and integrating it into global cooperation frameworks. The event is organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (IGTIC), and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), with the participation of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and Zhasyl Damu JSC.

Kazakhstan will present a comprehensive architecture of its carbon market to the global community—covering its Emissions Trading System (ETS), Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), and Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement. It will also showcase the investment potential of Kazakhstani climate initiatives and avenues for securing financing.

Key Program Highlights:

Signing Ceremonies: A Memorandum of Understanding between the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD). Memorandums will also be signed by Zhasyl Damu JSC with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) on climate risk assessment and adaptation, and with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI U.S.) on greenhouse gas and methane emissions modeling. Additionally, there will be an exchange of project portfolios between JSC NC “Kazakh Invest” and NULOOP.

Panel I: “International Cooperation and Article 6: From Project to Carbon Units” (Moderated by Erlan Zhumabayev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of IGTIC). Featuring speakers from Zhasyl Damu JSC, UNDP, Global Carbon Council, DEXAlliance, and Nuloop Kazakhstan.

Panel II: “Voluntary Carbon Market: Infrastructure, Standards, and Financing” (Moderated by Zhanbolat Kakishev, Chief Product Officer of the AIFC Authority). Featuring speakers from Verra, FOTON, Development Bank of Kazakhstan, FAO, and Freedom Holding Corp.

Following the session, participants will map out promising avenues for collaboration among the state, business entities, financial institutions, and global partners to draft and implement climate initiatives, while positioning Kazakhstani projects to appeal to global investors and carbon unit buyers.