Sustainable Development and ESG, Will This Become the Course for Turkic World

Sustainable Development and ESG: Will This Become the Course for Turkic World?Sustainable development and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) today are not just fashionable trends, but a pressing necessity for modern business. We discussed this and much more with an expert in sustainable development, Professor Rafis Abazov, Director of the Institute for Green and Sustainable Development at the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) and author of the book “Effective Project Manager: Your Personal Guide to a Strategic Approach to Solving Your Tasks” (2025).

Professor Rafis Abazov

**1) Question:** What are the most recent global trends in ESG and their impact on the Turkic business world?

Recent trends in ESG, led by the western countries, especially the European Union, emphasize green standards, climate action, and social equity. In general, it is good development, however, some cases suggest that it also can be used to as a kind of weapon to mount various types of pressures against competitors in developing countries through “green” standards and tariffs . For the Turkic business world, this means adopting sustainable practices, reducing carbon footprints, and engaging in corporate social responsibility. The focus is shifting towards integrating ESG principles to attract international investors and improve global competitiveness, but at the same time the leaders in the Turkic countries should develop their own “green” standards, to deal with the climate change and be ready for any kind of tariff pressure. 

**2) Question:** What specific strategies can be used to achieve these goals?

Strategies for achieving sustainable development goals include "green" management, reducing the carbon footprint (including reducing environmental pollution), developing a circular economy, social responsibility, and transparent corporate governance. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a universal framework for businesses, helping to identify priorities and set measurable goals.

For example, in Kazakhstan, the implementation of sustainable development principles (SDGs) is a priority of state policy. The country actively participates in achieving global goals, integrating them into national strategies and programs. Special attention is paid to the three "pillars" of SDGs: economic growth, social stability, and environmental safety. Kazakhstan strives for sustainable development, ensuring a balance between economic needs and the preservation of natural resources for future generations, so that our steppes, lakes, and biodiversity can be seen by our children and grandchildren.

**3) Question:** What are the main challenges companies face when implementing ESG and sustainable development?

It is recommended that start-up companies develop a clear strategy, create a team, enlist management support, train employees, and collaborate with other organizations. The future of sustainable development and ESG in business is associated with increasing demands from consumers and investors, as well as the development of technologies that help achieve sustainable goals.

Technologies play a key role in the efficient use of resources and reducing emissions. For example, according to calculations by our American partners at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, "smart farming" has doubled grain production over 20 years while reducing water consumption by almost half! This was achieved while simultaneously reducing the use of chemical fertilizers!

**4) Question:** What recommendations can you give to companies just starting their journey in sustainable development and ESG?

Large corporations can act as catalysts for the adoption of ESG principles among SMEs, which in turn offer flexible solutions and innovations. Government regulation plays an important role in creating conditions for sustainable development, setting standards, and stimulating ESG initiatives.

It is expected that ESG requirements will become stricter for good reasons - such as achieving sustainable development - but sometimes they can be used unfortunately for political reasons.. Therefore, companies in Turkic countries should prepare for this process now in order to be good corporate citizens for their communities, but at the same time to be good guards for economic growth and economic development in their countries.