Bangkok, October 28, 2025 – The 7th Annual Meeting of the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme, the European Union’s flagship regional initiative on sustainable consumption and production, took place today in Bangkok. The event brought together policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and private-sector representatives to discuss scaling circular economy practices across Asia under the EU Global Gateway framework.

As part of the high-level session “Scaling Up the Circular Economy in Asia: Bridging Policy, Practice, and Investments through the EU Global Gateway,” Asylkhan Aitzhanov, Managing Director of the International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center (IGTIC), delivered a keynote address.

Aitzhanov emphasized that successful circular economy transitions require close coordination between government policy, business needs, and regional socio-economic context:

“A circular economy must be adapted to local realities. It is not enough to replicate international best practices – we must engage small and medium-sized enterprises and industry associations in shaping policy and ensure solutions reflect the socio-economic characteristics of each region.”

He also underscored the importance of blended finance mechanisms to accelerate green transformation:

“Blended finance is a critical tool for scaling green projects. It aligns the interests of governments, international financial institutions, and private investors – creating long-term, stable impact and advancing environmental innovation.”

Kazakhstan’s participation in SWITCH-Asia reaffirms the country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the European Union and advancing regional leadership in sustainable development, circular economy models, and climate responsibility.