The High-Level Event on Sustainable Raw Materials, Green Hydrogen, and Batteries in partnership with the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Brussels, KazInvest and PA Group was held on March 5th, 2024, at Le Merode Club, Brussels.
The 2.5-hour event featured insightful panel discussions with key industry and government speakers, including Kazakhstan Presidential Adviser on Energy, Bolat Akchulakov, and EEAS Deputy Managing Director, Luc Devigne, among others. Marat Terterov, Principal Representative at Brussels Energy Club, moderated the panel discussion in typically stylish fashion.
The roundtable focused on Kazakhstan's energy sector, its transition towards sustainability and the role of hydrogen. Discussions also addressed challenges, future landscapes, and the EU dialogue.
The event highlighted the EU-Kazakhstan Memorandum on Strategic Partnership, aiming to boost trade and investment in critical raw materials and green energy. The dialogue with the EU focused on progress in energy and economic relations, investment opportunities, and strategic sectors. Questions also explored Kazakhstan's sustainability efforts, EU support mechanisms and investment protection concerns.
Kazakhstan, known for its early economic reforms, seeks to attract European investment and enhance its trade with the EU, which currently accounts for 30% of its foreign trade. Given Europe's ongoing need for resources, Kazakhstan and the broader Caspian region emerge as vital partners for the EU's green recovery and sustainability goals. The importance of Kazakhstan's raw materials to the EU, energy efficiency, and carbon trading potential were discussed.
The event fostered rich dialogue on Kazakhstan-EU cooperation in critical raw materials and green hydrogen, marking significant milestones and exploring future collaborations. Some coverage of the event in the Brussels media can be found here.
Download the program of the event: