Kazakhstan and Portugal intend to strengthen cooperation across environmental protection and sustainable development

On 7 February 2020, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Daulet Batrashev met with Portuguese Minister of Environment João Matos Fernandes in Lisbon. 

During the meeting, prospects forinteraction and the exchange of experiences between Kazakhstan and Portugal in the field of environmental protection, green technologies and climate change, both bilaterally and multilaterally, were discussed.

The Kazakh diplomat outlined the measures taken by the leadership of Kazakhstan to promote green development and low-carbon economic growth, focusing on the holding of the EXPO 2017 exhibition, the activities of the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (IGTIPC), the consistent implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Bridge initiative of Kazakhstan.

It was noted that the technologies, experience and ideas of the two countries could be mutually beneficial in the process of improving the environmental situation and fulfilling international climateobligations. The sides expressed their readiness to continue active dialogue on environmental protection.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on establishing contacts for the exchange of experience between the IGTIPC and the Portuguese research institute INESC TEC, as well as on holding regular meetings between the leadership of the sectoral agencies of the two countries.

Portugal is one of the international leaders in green technology. Currently, 56% of the energy consumed in Portugal is generated from renewable sources. There are plans to increase this to 80% by 2030.

INESC TEC conducts research intorenewable energy, information technology and artificial intelligence. It is also one of the largest research institutes in Portugal. INESC TEC incorporates 13 R&D Centres and brings together more than 700 researchers.