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Bordering China and Russia, Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, is a key strategic partner in promoting democracy and advancing stability across the region. To deepen democratic principles and increase regional prosperity, the United States partners with Kazakhstan to strengthen its civil society, advance private sector engagement, boost trade and energy production, combat health threats, and foster long-term resilience and self-reliance.

USAID aims to build Kazakhstan’s capacity to strengthen regional stability and prosperity, USAID programs help present a bulwark against pressure from malign influencers in the region.

OUR WORK

USAID began partnering with Kazakhstan soon after the country’s independence in 1991. Since then, USAID has helped to improve health services, increase civic engagement, promote the rule of law, diversify the economy, modernize the energy sector, and strengthen water resource management.

DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE

Limited transparency and government accountability weaken Kazakhstan’s democratic institutions and threaten long-term resilience. USAID builds a democratic culture by increasing access to information, facilitating civic engagement, promoting an independent judiciary and media, encouraging the protection of human rights, and countering human trafficking. For example, USAID supported the creation of a Media Literacy Manual for universities using modern best practices and cases from Central Asia to help teach critical thinking and digital literacy skills. The manual is now used in 29 universities in Kazakhstan.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Overreliance on fossil fuels and a non-diversified economy inhibit Kazakhstan’s ability to reach its economic potential. To increase regional trade and connectivity, USAID supports economic cooperation among countries in Central Asia while building linkages with the United States, Afghanistan, and beyond. USAID helps strengthen Kazakhstan’s renewable energy policies and supply and improve energy efficiency. USAID also works with various regional stakeholders to support the sustainable management of cross-border water resources. With USAID assistance, for example, Kazakhstan initiated and is expanding competitive auctions for new renewable energy projects. In 2018 and 2019, USAID facilitated 28 auctions resulting in 49 new projects totaling 1070 megawatts (MW) estimated at $1.3 billion. Continuing the success, in 2020, USAID facilitated three more rounds of auctions, during which 27 national and international companies bid on 16 solar, wind, and hydropower projects for an additional total installed capacity of 148 MW.

HEALTH

USAID partners with the Government of Kazakhstan to improve prevention, care and treatment services for TB, HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. For example, USAID introduced GeneXpert rapid-testing machines, manufactured by the U.S. company Cepheid that diagnose TB within hours instead of weeks, saving lives and building a healthy workforce. Today, Kazakhstan is using this technology nationwide.