ESG as a Tool for Sustainable Development and Business Risk Management

Askar Sydykov, IBC's Executive Director of the International Business Council, spoke at a working session as part of the Regional Environmental Summit (RES 2026 Expo), held April 23-25 in Astana. The event brought together representatives from Central Asian countries, international organizations, and the expert community, and was devoted to issues of sustainable development and regional cooperation. The head of the IBC spoke about successful practices in regional ESG cooperation and shared Kyrgyzstan's business community's perspective on their development. "In the eyes of investors, the Central Asian region is viewed as a single market, a unified investment space, and decisions are increasingly being made at the regional level. That is why sustainability is becoming an economic factor," Askar Sydykov emphasized in his remarks. According to a survey conducted by the IBC, businesses in Kyrgyzstan view ESG as a tool for development, with investors and partners as the key drivers. Integrating ESG into business practice helps expand access to financing and new markets, while also boosting companies' competitiveness. "Businesses today understand that ESG is not charity — it's effective risk management," Askar Sydykov noted. The session also presented the results of the work of the Central Asian Platform for Promoting Green Incentives. The platform brings together business, environmental, and expert communities from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, serving as a venue for exchanging practical experience, developing solutions, and adapting international ESG approaches to the regional context. The platform aims to create practical tools for ESG implementation and reduce barriers for business in the region. Following the summit, the Central Asian heads of state adopted a Joint Declaration, "Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia," aimed at advancing regional cooperation on environmental and sustainable development issues.