NU's contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Vision: To be a leading institution in promoting sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, contributing to the well-being of society and the environment.
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Enhance the mechanisms for implementation and reinvigorate global collaboration to achieve sustainable development.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University (NU) actively supports Sustainable Development Goal 17 by fostering partnerships across sectors, mobilizing knowledge and expertise, and building international cooperation to support the implementation of all SDGs.
Research and Innovation
Teaching and Student Life
Sustainability Living Lab Program: The Sustainability Living Lab (SLL) is a multifaceted program, which has a very broad impact on academic communities, with great potential for scaling up for a wider community. NU’s SLL model emphasizes co-creation between academia and the public sector. Since its inception, the program has facilitated more than 70 student-led sustainability projects in areas such as clean energy, waste management, and biodiversity conservation. SLL exemplifies how institutional partnerships can turn ideas into practical solutions.
Student Leadership for the SDGs: NU students take active roles in promoting the 2030 Agenda through clubs such as SDSN Youth Kazakhstan and Green Society. They organize conferences, case competitions, and policy forums that foster leadership, civic engagement, and global citizenship.
SDSN Youth Kazakhstan: Hosted by the Graduate School of Public Policy, focusing on engaging with policymakers through reports and annual conferences on the SDGs. SDSN Youth Kazakhstan is part of the global Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a UN initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development through collaboration and research. Launched in June 2022, the Kazakhstan chapter focuses on mobilizing expertise from various sectors, including academia, government, civil society, and the private sector, to address sustainability challenges both locally and globally. SDSN Youth Kazakhstan is involved in youth-centered events and activities, providing opportunities for young people to contribute to sustainable solutions through projects, workshops, and engagement in climate and development-related discussions.
LCOY Qazaqstan: is part of the global movement under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). These conferences are organized by and for young people to foster climate action, raise awareness, and ensure youth perspectives are represented in national and international climate decision-making processes.
Green Society: A student community of eco-activists working together to promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about climate change.
NU Sustainability Report by NU students - This platform showcases our journey towards creating a sustainable future. Explore initiatives, achievements, and strategies aligned with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, we aim to foster innovation, collaboration, and positive change for a greener and more equitable world.
NU offers the following courses aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 17 — "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development": Environmental Chemistry, Social Challenges of Climate Change, Environment and Development, Water Supply and Distribution Management, Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles, Survey of Environmental Sciences for Non-Science Majors, Environmental Politics, Water Resource Management, Air Quality Management, Natural Resource Management and Policy, Energy Systems and Climate Policy, and Global Energy Policy. These courses promote an interdisciplinary approach and capacity-building for sustainable development.
SDSN Youth Kazakhstan: Hosted by the Graduate School of Public Policy, focusing on engaging with policymakers through reports and annual conferences on the SDGs. SDSN Youth Kazakhstan is part of the global Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a UN initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development through collaboration and research. Launched in June 2022, the Kazakhstan chapter focuses on mobilizing expertise from various sectors, including academia, government, civil society, and the private sector, to address sustainability challenges both locally and globally. SDSN Youth Kazakhstan is involved in youth-centered events and activities, providing opportunities for young people to contribute to sustainable solutions through projects, workshops, and engagement in climate and development-related discussions.
LCOY Qazaqstan: is part of the global movement under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). These conferences are organized by and for young people to foster climate action, raise awareness, and ensure youth perspectives are represented in national and international climate decision-making processes.
Green Society: A student community of eco-activists working together to promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about climate change.
NU Sustainability Report by NU students - This platform showcases our journey towards creating a sustainable future. Explore initiatives, achievements, and strategies aligned with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, we aim to foster innovation, collaboration, and positive change for a greener and more equitable world.
NU offers the following courses aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 17 — "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development": Environmental Chemistry, Social Challenges of Climate Change, Environment and Development, Water Supply and Distribution Management, Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles, Survey of Environmental Sciences for Non-Science Majors, Environmental Politics, Water Resource Management, Air Quality Management, Natural Resource Management and Policy, Energy Systems and Climate Policy, and Global Energy Policy. These courses promote an interdisciplinary approach and capacity-building for sustainable development.
Community Impact
Strategic Cooperation with UNDP: NU’s partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) includes initiatives on gender equality, sustainable education, youth empowerment, and digital inclusion. The joint alliance for gender equality in universities is one example of how this collaboration builds inclusive institutional frameworks.
Neutral Platform for Dialogue(Expert panels, discussions, and forums with UN and OSCE)
NU and UNDP regularly organize joint events to advance gender equality and prevent harassment in academia.
NU and UNDP regularly organize joint events to advance gender equality and prevent harassment in academia.
Advisory Role in Policymaking: Faculty from NU are frequently engaged as national experts, co-authoring reports and participating in high-level policy discussions on topics ranging from water governance to public administration reform. The university contributes to policy development at both the national and regional levels.
Professional Training and Development: NU organizes workshops and seminars for professionals, university administrators, and civil servants to improve competencies in sustainable development planning and SDG reporting. Recent programs focused on climate resilience, data for development, and the role of higher education in policy transformation.
Curriculum Integration of the SDGs: NU is a national leader in aligning academic programs with the SDGs. As part of this commitment, the university conducted a university-wide mapping of its curriculum and research against the 17 SDGs, identifying interdisciplinary intersections and developing new learning modules.
International Research Contributions: NU faculty are engaged in international SDG-related research. Recent publications include:
Methodological Approaches on Synergies and Trade-offs within the 2030 Agenda – a policy-oriented analysis for integrating SDGs in development planning (Assubayeva & Marco, 2024).
Systems-thinking Innovations for Water Security – explores transdisciplinary methods for water governance (Alamanos et al., 2024).
Politics of Water Governance in Central Asia – studies institutional reform and cooperation frameworks (Sehring et al., 2024).
Climate Change and Rural Mobility in Central Asia – investigates the effects of climate-induced migration (Hermans et al., 2024).
Graduate Employability and Global Education – evaluates how international higher education shapes economic opportunity (Kim et al., 2024).
Startup Ecosystems in Emerging Economies – identifies key innovation drivers and the role of education in startup success (Zhumatai et al., 2024).
Systems-thinking Innovations for Water Security – explores transdisciplinary methods for water governance (Alamanos et al., 2024).
Politics of Water Governance in Central Asia – studies institutional reform and cooperation frameworks (Sehring et al., 2024).
Climate Change and Rural Mobility in Central Asia – investigates the effects of climate-induced migration (Hermans et al., 2024).
Graduate Employability and Global Education – evaluates how international higher education shapes economic opportunity (Kim et al., 2024).
Startup Ecosystems in Emerging Economies – identifies key innovation drivers and the role of education in startup success (Zhumatai et al., 2024).
Administration and Operations
SDSN Conference: The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) organizes conferences and events focused on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These conferences bring together academics, policymakers, business leaders, and civil society to discuss strategies, share research, and foster collaborations toward sustainable development.
Global Reach
Nazarbayev University participated in COP 29 in Baku, supporting global efforts to combat climate change. This participation reflects NU’s contribution to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 17 — strengthening global partnerships for a sustainable future.
The Chevron University Partnership Program (UPP): A global initiative to collaborate with universities around the world to establish climate-related programs and support student scholarships related to climate action
Global Rankings and Networks: NU is ranked in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, showcasing its contribution to global sustainable development. As a member of SDSN Global, NU contributes case studies and data to global knowledge platforms, especially focusing on Central Asia’s environmental, economic, and social development.
Extensive Partnership Network: As of 2024, NU maintains over 180 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with academic institutions, industry leaders, and development organizations from across the globe. These agreements support student mobility, dual-degree programs, and collaborative research, particularly in areas related to climate change, health systems, and digital innovation.
DAAD-Funded Workshop for Regional Integration: With support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), NU organized a regional workshop to foster scientific cooperation between young researchers from Central Asia and Germany. The event featured collaborative labs and SDG proposal pitch sessions, enabling project development beyond national borders.
Climate Talks: The discussions emphasized global climate challenges, sustainable development, and innovative solutions to mitigate climate impacts. The event aimed to foster collaboration among experts, academics, and policymakers to address climate change issues effectively.
NU serves as the host institution for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Kazakhstan, leading the national coordination of SDG engagement across more than 25 universities, research institutions, youth organizations, and NGOs. SDSN Kazakhstan acts as a hub to promote interdisciplinary research, curriculum innovation, community engagement, and public policy dialogue in support of the 2030 Agenda.
- Anchor Schools Initiative: In 2023, NU launched the Anchor Schools initiative to embed sustainable development into academic life. Participating institutions organize SDG-focused research, joint events, and localized implementation activities, including hackathons and seminars on sustainability challenges in their communities.
- National Stakeholder Engagement: In March 2024, NU took part in Kazakhstan’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) consultation workshop on SDG 17. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of National Economy and the UN, where NU contributed insights on partnership effectiveness, localizing the SDGs, and integrating them into university governance.
2nd SDSN Kazakhstan Conference: Held on May 13, 2024, the conference attracted more than 150 delegates and covered topics such as climate action, resilient infrastructure, digital sustainability, and youth-led innovation. It provided a platform for universities, ministries, and international partners to align efforts toward national SDG targets.
