Almaty City Development Center Participates in the First CIS Volunteer Forum

On August 20–21, Astana hosted the First Volunteer Forum of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), titled «Unity Through Volunteering: Partnership, Trust, Development.» The Forum brought together experts and representatives of government bodies and environmental organizations from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Russia.

One of the Forum’s key events was the international panel session «Environmental Volunteering and Sustainable Development.» The session was moderated by Pakizat Sailaubekova, Chief Manager of the Green Almaty Department at Almaty City Development Center JSC.

The session highlighted Kazakhstan’s experience in developing environmental volunteering, with particular attention given to the Taza Qazaqstan program and the international World Cleanup Day movement. As part of these environmental initiatives, volunteers and residents across the country collected more than 813,000 tonnes of waste and planted over 1.2 million trees.

The discussion also focused on modern approaches to environmental volunteering, ranging from digital technologies and recyclable waste collection infrastructure to cooperation with businesses and greater public involvement in environmental initiatives.

Nine experts from five CIS countries took part in the discussion and presented practical solutions in several areas:

• the use of satellite monitoring and volunteer participation in collecting environmental data;
• the development of the circular economy, including Kazakhstan-made ReBin reverse vending machines and urban sharing projects;
• international practices for protecting water resources and glaciers, as well as engaging young people in the climate agenda;
• the use of digital bots, interactive maps, and educational projects to promote environmental awareness.

Following the session, participants developed a number of proposals for inclusion in the Forum’s final resolution. These included establishing a Unified Network of CIS Environmental Volunteers, holding an annual CIS Environmental Volunteering Week, and launching joint microgrant programs to support environmental projects.

Participation in the Forum provided an opportunity to exchange international experience, establish new professional contacts, and explore practices that could be adapted to the needs of Almaty.

The Green Almaty Department plans to draw on the experience and proposals presented at the Forum when implementing urban environmental initiatives, promoting a culture of separate waste collection, and engaging residents in projects aimed at improving the city’s environmental quality.