ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 17. At the Second
Central Asian and European Forum on Decarbonization Diplomacy, in
Kazakhstan’s Astana , the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and the
Hydrogen Diplomacy Office (GIZ) formalized their partnership by
signing a Cooperation Agreement, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy 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.
The forum was opened with a welcome speech by Deputy Minister of
Energy of Kazakhstan, Bakytzhan Ilyas.
“Renewable energy sources are a priority for Kazakhstan. Dozens
of solar and wind projects involving leading international
companies are already being implemented in the country. Renewables
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 foundation for the production of green
hydrogen. Hydrogen energy is the next step,” said Bakytzhan
Ilyas.
The Ministry spoke about ongoing efforts and plans, including
the update of Kazakhstan’s Hydrogen Energy Development Concept,
which is expected to become a strategic document for attracting
investment and identifying key areas of cooperation with
international partners.
Interest in new green hydrogen projects in Kazakhstan is growing
from both international investors and domestic businesses. The
forum clearly demonstrated that Kazakhstan is a unique regional
platform for the development of the hydrogen economy. The country
boasts rich renewable energy resources, a favorable geographic
location, and strong interest from leading financial institutions,
including the World Bank, EBRD, ADB, UNDP, IRENA, and others.
The keynote address was delivered by Manuel Andresh, Head of the
Hydrogen Diplomacy Office, who emphasized Kazakhstan’s importance
in international initiatives for developing green hydrogen.
Participants highlighted Kazakhstan’s high potential in
renewable energy and green hydrogen, and emphasized the need for
joint policy development, the creation of favorable investment
conditions, and the development of human capital.
The Hydrogen Diplomacy Office (H2 Diplo) is an initiative of the
German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in cooperation
with the German Foreign Ministry, aimed at promoting green
(carbon-neutral) hydrogen as a tool for energy transition,
decarbonization, climate diplomacy, and economic development.
