#United States #New York #ESG Initiatives #Sustainability Report #Freedom Holding

Overview

Freedom Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: FRHC), a prominent international investment and technology firm, has unveiled its annual Sustainability Report for the 2025 fiscal year. This comprehensive document emphasizes the company’s unwavering commitment to social responsibility, educational initiatives, athletic development, and environmental stewardship within the various countries it serves. The report indicates that Freedom Holding has channeled a remarkable 27.87 billion tenge (approximately 57.6 million USD) into external ESG-centric projects, reinforcing the company's dedication to sustainable growth.

Key Insights from the CEO

Timur Turlov, the CEO of Freedom Holding Corp, articulated the company's philosophy regarding sustainability: “For us, sustainability is not just a standalone initiative; it’s a fundamental principle guiding our growth, investments, and community support. Each project we undertake in education, technology, sports, culture, or environmental conservation mirrors our long-term objective to foster a stronger and more resilient regional landscape. We believe that enhancing the lives of young individuals, promoting innovation, and improving quality of life are not merely ambitions, but essential responsibilities woven into our mission.”

Focus Areas of Investment

Education and Technology

A critical component of Freedom Holding’s agenda is the advancement of contemporary educational frameworks and technological infrastructure. To further this objective, 1.32 billion tenge (around 2.73 million USD) was allocated to the construction and outfitting of a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence facility at SDU University. This institution has emerged as a central hub for fintech research, AI exploration, and digital technology education. Moreover, the company invested 62.77 million tenge (approximately 130,000 USD) in the Freedom Fintech Bootcamp, a program aimed at nurturing professionals skilled in Data Science and Machine Learning.

Additionally, Freedom Holding made a notable investment of 1.86 billion tenge (about 3.84 million USD) to host the ICPC World Finals 2024 in Kazakhstan, marking the nation as a key player in the global competitive programming scene.

Sports and Healthy Lifestyles

The company also aims to uplift Kazakhstan’s standing in the international sports community. As part of its commitment to promoting sports, Freedom Holding provided substantial support for both chess and youth football activities during the reporting period. In expanding its sports facilities, the company invested 1.28 billion tenge (around 2.64 million USD) in the development of the Freedom Yelimay football complex in Semey, designed to facilitate year-round training. Furthermore, 795 million tenge (approximately 1.64 million USD) was dedicated to constructing a sports complex aimed at people with disabilities in Oral, enhancing accessibility to athletic opportunities for all.

Social and Infrastructure Projects

The report also sheds light on various social initiatives and infrastructure projects. To assist flood victims in western Kazakhstan, Freedom Holding allocated a total of 2.9 billion tenge (roughly 5.99 million USD) for rebuilding critical infrastructure and constructing protective dams. In the cultural domain, the company’s commitment is highlighted by the 336 million tenge (about 690,000 USD) allocated for renovating the Abai State Opera and Ballet Theatre, among other philanthropic efforts targeting children, library modernization, and promoting public internet access.

Environmental Initiatives

Freedom Holding's environmental endeavors are equally noteworthy. The company has enhanced its participation in global climate discussions, including the construction of the Kazakhstan Pavilion at COP29, for which 149.91 million tenge (approximately 310,000 USD) was earmarked. Further, it forged collaboration agreements with the Ministry of Ecology on biodiversity preservation and restoring the Turan tiger population.

Ongoing projects also include substantial investments in restoring the Aral Sea ecosystem and promoting sustainable energy solutions, with 200 million tenge (about 410,000 USD) directed to advancing eco-friendly technologies. The initiative known as Freedom Fandomats, a national recycling system for plastic and aluminum, has also been launched to bolster community engagement in environmental conservation.

Employee Development

Internally, Freedom Holding has reported encouraging developments. Ninety-five percent of the workforce operates from Kazakhstan, with a remarkable 56% increase in employees under 30 years of age. Furthermore, the company has achieved a commendable gender balance within its team.

Strategic Achievements

Among the report’s highlighted milestones is the establishment of the UN Regional Office for Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia, based in Almaty, which was initiated largely due to Freedom Holding’s proactive involvement. Additionally, the company’s contribution to COP29 culminated in the signing of two vital ESG agreements focusing on natural resource management and the implementation of a carbon certification framework in Kazakhstan.

As this snapshot indicates, Freedom Holding Corp. is not only making strides in its financial domain but is also shaping a sustainable and responsible future in the regions it operates.

About Freedom Holding Corp.

Freedom Holding Corp. extends its financial services across 21 countries, including Kazakhstan, the United States, Cyprus, Poland, Spain, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. Their principal executive office is located in New York City. In Kazakhstan, the company is actively enriching its financial and digital services ecosystem, which encompasses Freedom Bank, Freedom Broker, Freedom Life and Freedom Insurance, along with lifestyle platforms such as Arbuz.kz, Freedom Ticketon, and Aviata. The shares of Freedom Holding Corp. are publicly traded on NASDAQ, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) under the ticker symbol FRHC. The company operates under the supervision of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is a constituent of the Russell 3000 Index.