Kazakhstan explores how blue finance can support decent work

ASTANA (ILO News) – A workshop held in Astana on 8 September explored how Kazakhstan’s emerging blue finance framework can contribute to decent work and a just transition.

Held under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), the consultation brought together representatives of government, water-sector institutions, businesses, universities, civil society, development institutions and United Nations agencies to discuss water-sector transformation and investment priorities and their implications for jobs, skills, enterprises and communities.

The contribution of the International Labour Organization (ILO) focuses on ensuring that employment, skills, working conditions, social inclusion and social dialogue are integrated into the country’s emerging blue economy and blue finance agenda. Cristina Martinez, ILO Senior Specialist on Enterprise Development and Green Jobs for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, underlined the ILO’s role in bringing the perspectives of government, employers and workers into the PAGE intervention and in helping ensure that blue finance contributes to decent work, social justice and a just transition.

Sirin Elci, President of the international consultancy INOMER and ILO International Senior Consultant, presented preliminary findings from a stakeholder consultation survey conducted across Kazakhstan. The survey received 922 responses, providing insight into priorities and concerns related to the country’s emerging blue economy.

Skills shortages emerged as the leading labour-market concern, while 71 per cent of respondents identified water infrastructure and management as the area with the strongest potential for job creation. Respondents also highlighted potential challenges, including unequal regional development, economic displacement, skills mismatches and job losses in traditional sectors. Sixty per cent considered working conditions and compliance with labour standards to be at least a moderate concern.

These findings highlight the importance of combining investment in water security and infrastructure with investment in people. Connecting blue finance with workforce and skills development, participation by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, decent working conditions, social inclusion and effective social dialogue can help ensure that the transition benefits workers, enterprises and communities across Kazakhstan.

The preliminary findings will be further explored through consultations with ILO constituents and other stakeholders, including consultations in Aktau on the Caspian Sea during an ILO mission led by Martinez. The results will inform the ongoing analysis and policy recommendations developed under the PAGE intervention.

The ILO is contributing to the PAGE intervention “Promoting Decent Work and Social Justice in Kazakhstan’s Blue Economy through Targeted Finance”, working with the Government of Kazakhstan and PAGE partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

More information is available on the UNDP website: Kazakhstan explores blue finance to mobilize investment for sustainable water management.