Spouse of the COP31 President Commends the National Pavilion of Kazakhstan

Şengül Kurum, spouse of the President of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), highly praised the National Pavilion of Kazakhstan in Antalya, expressing particular interest in the country’s environmental initiatives, traditional Kazakh craftsmanship, and biodiversity conservation projects. The pavilion tour was led by Saken Kalkamanov, Chairman of the Management Board of the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (IGTIC), who presented the exhibition’s key themes and introduced the guest to Kazakhstan’s environmental and nature conservation projects.

During her visit, Şengül Kurum explored domestic agricultural products, initiatives within the Zero Waste concept, and the project to restore the Turanian tiger population. The Chairman of the Board placed special emphasis on the “Kurak Korpe” art installation, which uses traditional Kazakh artistry to convey modern principles of sustainable resource management and the Zero Waste concept.

The installation drew particular interest from the spouse of the COP31 President. Şengül Kurum not only learned about the history and symbolism of the traditional Kazakh patchwork quilt, but also eagerly participated in a masterclass on crafting kurak korpe, trying her hand at this ancient craft. This art form, in which every scrap of fabric is given a second life, has reflected the Kazakh people’s careful stewardship of natural resources and mindful consumption for centuries.

While touring the exhibition, the guest asked detailed questions about Kazakhstan’s practical outcomes and approaches to waste reduction, reuse, and sustainable resource management. Additionally, Şengül Kurum sampled domestic agricultural products featured at the pavilion.

The interactive exhibition dedicated to reintroducing the Turanian tiger into the wild attracted distinct interest. Its AI-powered digital guides—the tigers Amur and Umit—introduce international visitors to Kazakhstan’s environmental initiatives, conservation programs, and technological projects in multiple languages.

Saken Kalkamanov also presented the work underway to restore the Turanian tiger population in the Ile-Balkhash region, explaining the project’s vital role in reviving natural ecosystems and preserving Central Asia’s biodiversity. During their conversation, Şengül Kurum took a keen interest in the showcased initiatives and underscored the importance of international knowledge exchange, which enables countries to explore new approaches, adopt best practices, and implement effective environmental solutions.

Opened as part of COP31, the National Pavilion of Kazakhstan serves as an international platform for showcasing the country’s environmental milestones, cutting-edge green technologies, and investment projects. Within the framework of Kazakhstan’s participation in the conference, 34 investment-related documents have been signed, and 38 thematic events are scheduled to take place at the pavilion.

The visit by the spouse of the COP31 President provided another valuable opportunity to present Kazakhstan’s environmental achievements to the global community, showcase its national cultural heritage, and strengthen cooperation in sustainable development.