Kyrgyzstan Announces Winners of First National ESG Business Leader Competition
A ceremony was held in Bishkek to honor the winners of the first national “ESG Business Leader” competition, aimed at supporting responsible entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable development practices in Kyrgyzstan.
The competition brought together representatives of small and medium-sized businesses implementing projects in environmental responsibility, sustainable development, innovation and social entrepreneurship.
The competition was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, Eldik Bank OJSC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Mastercard.
The winners were selected in three categories:
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Aitmat Farm — “Best Climate Project of the Year” for developing a technology for producing organic fertilizer — biohumus;
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Ereken Group LLC — “Innovation of the Year in Sustainable Development” for a hybrid heating system for School No. 43;
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Taza-Di-Kadamzhai LLC — “Best Green Project in Women’s Entrepreneurship” for a waste recycling project.
Additional certificates and incentive prizes were presented to Adal Azyk LLC (Toyboss brand) for its heat reuse system in food production, Kyrgyzpromtekhnologiya LLC for the Water Watch AI project, and Anara Kudaibergenova for the Kazarman Monte project.
“Climate policy is becoming economic policy. For businesses, this means new requirements, but also new opportunities — reducing costs through energy efficiency, adopting new technologies, increasing competitiveness and entering markets where environmental and social standards are becoming part of the conditions for doing business. That is why the development of ESG approaches should be viewed as an investment in the resilience and future of Kyrgyzstan’s economy,” said Akyl Toktobaev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“Today, ESG is a way to translate the country’s broader climate goals into everyday business decisions. When a company saves energy and resources, reduces waste, introduces new technologies or creates sustainable jobs, it not only becomes more resilient itself, but also contributes to the country’s climate goals,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.
“Eldik Bank OJSC was one of the initiators of the national ‘ESG Business Leader’ competition and continues to promote sustainable development principles in Kyrgyzstan’s banking sector. For the Bank, it is important to contribute to responsible entrepreneurship and support projects addressing environmental and social challenges. We expect the competition to become an annual national platform for identifying and promoting the best ESG practices and contributing to the further development of a sustainable economy in Kyrgyzstan,” said Aidzhan Karieva, Member of the Management Board of Eldik Bank OJSC.
The event also featured two panel discussions on ESG and green finance, as well as innovation, digital solutions and women’s entrepreneurship. Participants discussed the role of the financial sector, new requirements for businesses, and the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and digitalization for more efficient resource use.
The organizers expect “ESG Business Leader” to become an annual platform for identifying and promoting practical solutions that create economic value for businesses while contributing to addressing the country’s environmental and social challenges.
