The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has signed a partnership agreement with the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), an investor-focused not-for-profit, promoting large scale investment in the low carbon economy.

The document was signed by the Deputy Chairman of the AIFC Administration Kairat Aytekenov and the Chief Executive Officer of CBI, Sean Kidney.

CBI undertakes advocacy and outreach to inform and stimulate the green bond market, provides policy models and government advice, market data and analysis and administers the Climate Bonds Standard & Certification Scheme.

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a newly established jurisdiction in the middle of Kazakhstan that aims to attract investment into the country’s low carbon economy, develop local capital markets and ensure integration with international markets and standards.

Joining the Climate Bonds Partners Programme is in line with AIFC’s goal to make the region more attractive to green capital flows necessary for long-term infrastructure projects that are climate resilient and low carbon.

As a Climate Bonds Partner, AIFC will have access to exclusive data on green bonds and other green finance instruments, as well as the opportunity to connect with issuers, investors and other Partners in the network.

Aidar Kazybayev, the Managing director of AIFC, said “the decision to join the Climate Bonds Partners Programme is an important step in setting-up the local green bond market. Last year we adopted the Green Bond Rules on Astana International Exchange and now we support first issuers by providing special assistance to them. Getting access to the latest market information from CBI, as well as their ongoing support, will play a significant role in this process.”

Serena Vento, Head of Partnerships & Commercial Relationships at the Climate Bonds Initiative, said: “We are delighted and proud to welcome AIFC as the first CBI Partner in Central Asia. AIFC is showing significant leadership in the region in terms of promoting the global green finance agenda and enabling a support network for engaged local market players. By joining the CBI Partners Programme, we will support the AIFC mission to build a local green finance market in order to mitigate climate change and transition to zero emission”.

CBI partners include influential global financial institutions such as Barclays, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Moody’s, London Stock Exchange Group, UniCredit, Société Générale, Nasdaq, White & Case, Mizuho, and others.

Reference

About the AIFC: The AIFC was established on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. In December 2015 President Nazarbayev approved the Constitutional Statute “On the Astana International Financial Centre” (AIFC). The aim of the AIFC is to establish a leading international centre for financial services. The objectives of the AIFC are to attract investment into the economy through the establishment of an attractive environment for investment in financial services, develop local capital markets, ensuring their integration with the international capital markets. www.aifc.kz

About the Climate Bonds Initiative: An international, investor-focused not-for-profit working solely on mobilising the bond market for climate change solutions. For more information, please visitwww.climatebonds.net.

About the Climate Bonds Partners Program: Banks, institutional investors, private and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments are eligible to join as Climate Bond Partners to help grow a market of green and climate bonds. Partners assist in developing initiatives to grow investment in climate finance solutions, participate in different market development committees & help define policy agendas for sector, country & sub-national green bond markets. A list of Partners is available here.