BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The transition to a
circular economy is becoming a practical necessity, Kazakhstan’s
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlán Nyssanbayev said
during the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana, Trend reports.
“Today, countries of Central Asia face similar challenges.
Economic growth is accompanied by increasing volumes of waste. The
pressure on natural resources is growing. Waste management
infrastructure does not always develop at the same pace. In these
conditions, the transition to a circular economy is becoming a
practical necessity. It allows us to simultaneously support
economic development, reduce environmental risks, and improve the
quality of life of the population,” Nyssanbayev said.
He noted that the circular economy is not only about waste
utilization.
“It is about more rational use of resources, development of
innovation, creation of new business opportunities, and formation
of modern green jobs,” the minister said.
At the same time, he stressed that one of the key challenges in
the region remains the lack of coordination of approaches.
Differences in regulation, limited cooperation, and insufficient
investment are slowing the spread of successful solutions.
“That is why Kazakhstan has proposed the development of a
framework partnership program on the circular economy for Central
Asian countries. We see this document as a practical tool that will
help harmonize approaches at the national and regional levels,
develop a common vision and priorities, create more favorable
conditions for investment, and expand the exchange of technologies,
data, and best practices” ,” Nyssanbayev said.
