To date, more than 50 Kazakh
companies are participants in the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, most of
which have joined within this year. They all actively implement new strategies
in their operations and conduct their activities in accordance with the ten
universal principles outlined in this crucial document. They encompass
fundamental values in the areas of human rights, labor relations, and
environmental protection. Global Compact participants demonstrate, on average, a
30 percent higher performance in corporate governance, operational efficiency,
and financing. Moreover, the stocks of these companies consistently command
higher valuations in global markets, according to experts. Currently, the initiative
involves over 20,000 business entities from more than 165 countries.
“Many of them have now taken part
in our training on how we can accelerate SDGs, a lot of it is about looking at
their own business operations, identify something they can change to become
more sustainable. Also, it’s how they manage their internal processes, are they
applying the right human rights standards internally, how can they support
their workers to become more sustainable, their work spaces to become more
sustainable,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Michaela
Friberg-Storey.
“In business, it is necessary to
apply innovative methods and implement cutting-edge technologies that adhere to
environmental principles. Equally vital is the understanding of safety
standards, whether in the creation of new jobs or the maintenance of existing
ones. Business circles discuss such issues with the government and decide on
how to work and develop collaboratively,” noted entrepreneur Zhumabek
Zhanykulov.
