CACF and ESGQ Rating Agency Sign Memorandum of Cooperation
Yerlik Karazhan, CEO of the Central Asian Climate Fund (CACF), and Gulmira Ismagulova, Director of the ESGQ Rating Agency, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The parties agreed that priority areas for collaboration will include applying ESGQ’s ESG maturity assessment methodology to CACF projects, developing methodologies for assessing climate risks, and creating joint analytical and educational products for businesses and government bodies in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
The Memorandum aims to foster cooperation in expert-analytical, methodological, educational, and information-sharing spheres regarding sustainable development, ESG, and the management of environmental and climate risks, as well as the development of digital tools in Central Asia.
The parties intend to cooperate in the following areas:
- expert-analytical activities: participation of ESGQ experts in the work of the CACF "Green Think Tank" and expert network, joint development of methodologies for assessing ESG and climate risks, and preparation of analytical reviews and annual regional reports;
- development of the ESG agenda: application of the ESGQ methodology to assess the ESG maturity of companies, regions, and projects based on international standards (IFRS S1, IFRS S2, GRI, SASB);
- educational activities: joint ESG programs, courses, and training sessions hosted by the CACF Training Center; capacity building for the expert community; and engaging youth and students in sustainable development initiatives;
- digitalization: development of digital tools for collecting and analyzing ESG data and assessing risks, including through the use of artificial intelligence technologies; - events and international cooperation: joint strategic and expert sessions; participation in regional and international forums—including initiatives related to the 2026 Regional Environmental Summit and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP)—as well as in international competitions and grant programs.
Cooperation between CACF and ESGQ will be implemented through joint initiatives, projects, and events; the exchange of information, analytical, and methodological materials; consultations and expert discussions; and the mutual engagement of experts and the formation of joint working groups.
The memorandum formalizes a partnership initiated during discussions on the application of the ESGQ methodology for assessing corporate ESG maturity.
As a reminder, ESG refers to a set of business standards in which a company considers its impact on the environment, society, and governance. The acronym stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance.
The Central Asian Climate Fund (CACF) serves as the legal entity for the Central Asia Project Office on Climate Change and Green Energy, established on February 22, 2024, in fulfillment of an initiative announced by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023. CACF’s mission is to accelerate the climate transition in Central Asia by supporting policies, innovation, and partnerships.
The ESGQ rating agency was founded in 2022 and is the first ESG-focused rating agency in Central Asia. The agency conducts ESG scoring and risk assessment using its own proprietary methodology (a registered copyrighted work), prepares ESG profiles, assists companies in developing sustainability strategies and non-financial reports, and implements training programs. ESGQ is a participant in the UN Global Compact.
