#Kazakhstan #Astana #Sustainable Finance #Central Asia #CASI Academy

CASI Academy Launches Local-Language Course in Central Asia

The Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) has officially launched its inaugural course in Russian, consisting of 28 online Level 1 learning modules aimed at fostering sustainable finance skills in Central Asia. This significant milestone coincided with the Regional Ecological Summit (RES) held in Astana, Kazakhstan, which gathered prominent figures from various sectors including finance, regulatory bodies, and academia.

During the summit, the importance of sustainable finance was emphasized, particularly in how it can be utilized to support regional development and ecological balance. Yaseen Anwar, a former governor of the Central Bank of Pakistan and head of the GIP regional chapter for Central Asia, spoke about the pressing need for collaborative efforts among policymakers, financial institutions, and organizations like CASI to facilitate a transition towards sustainable finance in the region.

The online modules delivered by the CASI Academy provide innovative learning through modular video content, enabling participants to learn at their own pace. The course offers various certification programs related to sustainable finance and investment. Participants will engage with topics including sustainable finance taxonomies, climate risk assessment, green finance instruments, carbon markets, and sustainable disclosure practices.

Dr. Ma Jun, Chairman of CASI and former Co-Chair of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, remarked on the critical function of capacity building in advancing sustainable finance. He noted, "The transition to sustainable finance in Central Asia requires coordinated capacity building across regulators, financial institutions, and project developers. CASI aims to fill this gap by providing structured training and practical knowledge. Introducing Russian-language courses in the region will improve access and augmented implementation capabilities on the ground."

Moreover, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, highlighted the necessity for strong capacity improvements among policymakers and institutions, emphasizing that international cooperation is essential for scaling sustainable finance initiatives. Manas Gijduaniev, CEO of the AIFC Green Finance Centre, further stressed that regional collaboration is vital for building effective sustainable finance ecosystems.

The launch of CASI Academy has been well-received by its initial users, which include the Eurasian Development Bank, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, and the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business. These institutions have applauded the introduction of local language modules as a significant advancement in broadening capacity among professionals and students within the region.

Looking forward, CASI is dedicated to collaborating with regional stakeholders to expand training initiatives, deepen partnerships, and enhance learning materials. Future plans include incorporating more local case studies and additional language versions of the courses to ensure a wider reach and impact.

The CASI Academy stands as a critical tool for empowering the next generation of finance professionals in Central Asia to effectively participate in the growing field of sustainable investment, thereby uplifting environmental and economic standards across the region.

To learn more about the CASI Academy and access the courses, visit CASI Academy.
For further information, check CASI Events.