The renewable energy revolution in Central Asia will depend, a lot, on the way we innovate.

Innovation is a key force in leading Kazakhstan and Central Asia towards long-term advanced mining and green policies. Innovation, when it comes to mining and the exploitation of natural resources, must be the mind frame through which wefind new ways of generating wealth but also improving the well-being of the planet.

Yes, for 30 years, Kazakhstan has grown into a wealthy and influential nation through mining opportunities and smart exploitation of resources. But there is a coming revolution ahead.

The next 30 years will see science-fiction like processes in the way we mine, and the way we respect the planet while doing so. Hence the work we are doing at CAIER (Central Asian Institute for Ecological Research).

The next 30 years are going to be yeras where lithium, cobalt or nickel will be coveted minerals. We use this new era of interest in the EV economy to improve our stance in the way we rely on innovation, technology, processes, and people.

The necessary innovation in natural resources will encompass technological, regulatory, financial, and social dimensions. From the technological point of view, integrating various renewable sources, solar, hydro, and requires advances in energy storage and grid integration technologies.

But one thing must be clear: from now on , all mining policies must integrate innovative practices that reduce environmental impact.

This includes adopting cleaner mining technologies, rehabilitating mined land, and using mining waste in other industrial processes. Improving the sustainability of the mining sector through innovations in waste management and mine closure processes can lead to more sustainable mineral extraction practices.

The interplay of these strategies will enable Kazakhstan and Central Asia to meet their environmental goals and establish a model of sustainable development that can be replicated in other regions.

By advancing green policies through innovation, our part of the world will gain a double benefit: boosting economic growth and improving environmental health, setting a standard for a balanced approach to development in the face of global environmental challenges.

We need to lead the way.