An environmental initiative titled “Alley of Friendship, Creativity, and Innovation” took place in Karaganda, organized by the Center for Sustainable Development and Creative Industries together with young participants of educational programs.
The initiative was proposed by school students, including young author and finalist of the PLATON 5D project, Platon Nechaev. The goal of the event was to green the urban environment, promote environmental awareness, and preserve cultural memory.
The initiative was held in support of the national program of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, “Taza Kazakhstan”, aimed at improving environmental conditions, developing ecological culture, and enhancing the quality of life in cities.
During the event, trees were planted as symbols of friendship, care for nature, and the contribution of every citizen to a greener future for Karaganda. A commemorative plaque with the name of the alley was installed.
The initiative brought together school students, volunteers, environmental experts, representatives of the creative community, and business partners. 🌱

The Voluntary National Review (VNR) is a report that analyzes a country’s progress and identifies challenges in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This process is part of the monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for UN Member States. The VNR allows countries to assess their progress, exchange experiences and best practices, and identify obstacles that hinder the achievement of the goals.
The reports are prepared on a voluntary basis and are based on each country’s data and national priorities. An important feature of the VNR preparation process is the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and the academic community. This makes the process inclusive and transparent, while the reviews are discussed at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which promotes international knowledge exchange.
The structure of the VNR includes several key sections, such as:

• the country context,
• national priorities,
• progress on each of the 17 SDGs,
• key challenges and lessons learned,
• recommendations for further improvement.

These reports help countries not only demonstrate their achievements, but also strengthen accountability and adapt national strategies to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Under the coordination of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with relevant stakeholders, two Voluntary National Reviews of the Government of Kazakhstan on SDG implementation were prepared and presented at the UN High-Level Political Forum in 2019 and 2022.
In July 2025, at the High-Level Political Forum in New York, the Government of Kazakhstan presented its third Voluntary National Review, among 39 participating countries.
At the 8th meeting of the SDG Coordination Council, the Plan for preparing the 2025 Voluntary National Reviewwas approved.
According to the decision of the SDG Coordination Council, responsibility for preparing the report was assigned to the SDG Secretariat – the Economic Research Institute JSC, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other relevant government agencies and organizations.

The Price of Pollution: Why Women in Kazakhstan Are Demanding Compensation from Industrial Giants

In February 2025, more than 50 women — entrepreneurs, environmentalists, public leaders, and researchers — gathered at the ESG, Creativity and Innovation Center at Karaganda Technical University named after A. Saginovto discuss the impact of environmental pollution on the health and well-being of residents in an industrial region.
The forum “Women and Sustainable Development: Ecology, Health, and Leadership” revealed alarming trends, including a rise in oncological and respiratory diseases and a decline in reproductive health.
Participants proposed concrete measures, including the introduction of compensation payments from industrial enterprises, similar to mechanisms already implemented in several European countries.

The festival was organized as part of a national creative competition among artists, photographers, and digital designers under the theme “From EGO to ECO.”
The main goal of the event was to draw public attention to regional environmental issues, particularly the preservation and restoration of the biological ecosystem of the Caspian Sea.
As part of the festival, workshop sessions and master classes were held on developing creative and ecological thinking through the PLATON 5D methodology.

The PLATON 5D project is an innovative educational platform designed to develop creative thinking, environmental awareness, and leadership skills among school students and young people.
The platform integrates advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and gamified learning methods, making the educational process both engaging and effective.

At the Tashkent city administration, Deputy Mayor Durdona Rakhimova met with Irina Kharitonova, Head of the Creative Industry Department at the Creative&Innovation Institute in the Republic of Kazakhstan, one of the founders of the Central Asia Sustainable Development Fund, and an expert in the field.
The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in education and leveraging the positive experiences of secondary educational institutions in both countries.
Additionally, expert Irina Kharitonova introduced the Tashkent city administration representatives to the "Platon 5D" project, which is considered one of the most effective projects in Kazakhstan’s education system.
The "Platon 5D" project places a special emphasis on developing students’ creative thinking, social entrepreneurship, communication skills, patriotism, and environmental literacy.

OCA Magazine is a quarterly and independent magazine, published in London since 2009 by Silk Road Media Group with support of Eurasian Creative Guild (London).

 Platon Nechayev, an 11-year-old student from the Karagandy Region, showcased his fairy tales and educational program at the 6th International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2-5.
Platon Nechayev, an 11-year-old student from the Karagandy Region during the 6th International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Photo credit: Irina Kharitonova
He was invited to present his unique fairy tales at a high level, including a personal book presentation to His Excellency, the President of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, and UNESCO officials involved in the Learning Cities Network.
Although Kazakhstan has not yet joined the UNESCO Learning Cities Network, Nechayev’s participation and the Platon 5D Thinking with ESG Components program have created new opportunities for the country to integrate into this global network.

Reports TurkicWorld with the reference to The Astana Times.
Speaking about nomadism in an interview with The Astana Times, Irina Kharitonova, the research expert on cultural and creative industries in Central Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Europe, described it as “Kazakhstan’s unique code, which gives an unlimited opportunity for creativity and attracts the interest of other countries.”

On October 18, 2022, the Educational and Methodological Center for the Development of Education, together with the authors of the pilot project “PLATON – 5D Thinking,” held a seminar for leaders of educational institutions of the Karaganda Region.
During the seminar, Irina Vladimirovna Kharitonova, the author and ideologist of the pilot project and an expert-researcher in cultural and creative industries in Central Asia and the CIS, introduced participants to the concept and content of the “PLATON – 5D Thinking” project.

The “DNA of the Steppe” project consists of educational and creative components.
The educational program includes trainings and lectures on environmental culture, responsible consumption, intellectual and conscious fashion, and the development of new eco-habits, such as proper waste sorting and understanding its importance. The lectures are conducted through the Instagram pages of the project organizers.
The creative component features a competition for the best print design related to the themes discussed in the program. The artworks of nine finalists will be printed on T-shirts partially made from recycled materials, including polyester derived from recycled plastic.

The event “Green Horizons of Kazakhstan: Development Prospects” became an ideal platform for establishing new partnerships, discussing future investment projects, and shaping the green economy of the future.
Participants noted a high level of interest and readiness for cooperation, which reflects positive progress toward sustainable development in Kazakhstan.
The event was organized by the Public Foundation for Sustainable Development of Central Asia “Creative & Innovation Institute.”

How can the regional center be transformed into a vibrant and attractive place for environmental and business projects? How can more young people be engaged in this process? And what tools can small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) use to bring their ideas to life?
These and other topics were discussed during a meeting that brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives of the public and financial sectors.