• Connects 140+ companies across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
• Aims to unify regional efforts in corporate governance, SDG implementation, and ethical business practices.
• Targets investment, transparency, and green growth amid the region’s rapid political and economic transformation.

The UN Global Compact has launched the Central Asia Network, a multi-country office uniting over 140 companies across five nations to accelerate sustainable business practices and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative will provide companies with tools, training, and global connections to improve corporate governance, foster transparency, and meet rising demands for decarbonization and ethical labour practices.

Until now, sustainability efforts in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan have largely operated independently. The new network aims to break down silos, building trust through joint training, regional dialogue, and cross-border business alliances. With more than 60% of the population under 30, Central Asia’s youth are pushing for an economic model rooted in ethics, opportunity, and environmental responsibility.

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“Central Asia sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and is entering a period of rapid economic and political transformation,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “By launching a Country Network here, we are anchoring responsible investment and sustainability into this dynamic corridor, and harnessing the region’s untapped private-sector potential to drive green growth, improve transparency and foster social cohesion.”

Dinara Seijaparova, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Central Asia Network, added: “At this pivotal moment, businesses in Central Asia must seize the first-mover advantage to set their own sustainability agenda. The UN Global Compact will convene government, business and civil society across Central Asia to build trust, foster cross-border partnerships and unlock billions in investment for the SDGs — ensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with social inclusion and environmental resilience.”

The launch signals the UN Global Compact’s commitment to regional empowerment and localized action, positioning Central Asia as a critical player in global sustainability efforts.

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