On September 16, 2025, the Second Central Asian and European Forum on Decarbonization Diplomacy was held in Astana, organized by the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office jointly with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The event brought together representatives of ministries and agencies from Central Asia and the Caucasus, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society. The second forum focused on regional cooperation, investment opportunities, and hydrogen diplomacy. Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Ilyas delivered the opening remarks.
“Renewable energy sources are a priority for Kazakhstan. Dozens of solar and wind projects are already being implemented in the country with the participation of leading international companies. Renewable energy sources not only reduce the carbon footprint but also strengthen energy security, create new jobs, and diversify the economy. In the future, they will form the basis for the production of green hydrogen. “Hydrogen energy is the next step,” noted Bakytzhan Ilyas.
The Ministry outlined its ongoing work and plans, including an update to the Concept for the Development of Hydrogen Energy in Kazakhstan, which is intended to become a strategic document for attracting investment and identifying key areas of cooperation with international partners.
As part of the forum, the GIZ Renewable Energy in Central Asia (EURECA) project also held a thematic parallel session on renewable energy, bringing together representatives from countries in the region. Speakers included experts from the KazEnergy Association, QazaqGreen, the Settlement and Financial Center for Renewable Energy Support, the Energy Coordination and Dispatch Center (Tashkent), the Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University (Bishkek), and the National Research Institute for Renewable Energy under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Tashkent).
Participants noted Kazakhstan’s high potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen, and emphasized the need for joint policy development, favorable investment conditions, and human capital development.
