Kazakhstan: Sustainable Development in Transition and Connection to the EU's Assistance

This year the World Leaders considered and adopted the new ambitious Sustainable Development Agenda “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” to end poverty and universally promote shared economic prosperity, social development and environmental protection by 2030. This article explores new realities of the Sustainable Development agenda in the light of the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is clear today that the global development strategy requires a system renovation and new approaches, corresponding with the reality and challenges of the 21st century. Kazakhstan, being one of the 50 countries participating in the national consultations process on the post-2015 Agenda, brought its own contribution to “The Future We Want” programme. The fruitful cooperation with the European Union adds more perspectives for Kazakhstan as one of the most dynamic developing countries in the Central Asian region. The authors emphasized the importance of the United Nations Organization (UN) leadership in the global strategic planning and controlling long-term strategies, including cooperation between states and civilizations, and inclusion of all points of view, especially that of the youth. This article is intended for specialists as well as a wider audience (e.g. students), who are interested in international relations and organizations, international cooperation, sustainable development, and foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.