Director of the Center for Agro-Bioresource and Ecology Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhanna Sarsimbayevna Almanova, on August 12, 2025, took part in a meeting of the Expert Council under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation on scientific support for the development of technologies for monitoring the carbon balance and the creation of carbon polygons.

At the meeting of the Expert Council under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, the initiative of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan to establish a joint carbon “mirror” polygon in Kazakhstan was supported, with the Russian partner being the Federal Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In her speech at the meeting of the Expert Council of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Zh.S. Almanova presented the proposals of the Academy: “Achieving carbon neutrality is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan and a key direction for meeting its climate goals. For the successful development of carbon farming in the Republic of Kazakhstan, a systemic model of carbon management in agroecosystems and the development of a network of carbon polygons are essential.

In line with the instructions of the Head of State to ensure climate resilience and achieve carbon neutrality in the Republic of Kazakhstan by 2060, the Academy proposes the establishment of the ‘Kaz Agro Carbon’ carbon agroclimatic polygon, with the Federal Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences as the partner from the Russian side. The carbon polygon is proposed to be located in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan, based at the A.I. Baraev Scientific and Production Center for Grain Farming.

The ‘Kaz Agro Carbon’ carbon polygon will become an effective platform for testing methods of measuring, modeling, forecasting, and managing the carbon balance. Scientists from both countries will develop and test technologies aimed at reducing emissions and increasing the absorption of carbon dioxide in various ecosystems of Northern Kazakhstan to achieve climate goals.

In addition, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan has initiated and developed, jointly with Kazakh scientists and scientists of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a scientific and technical program for the implementation of comprehensive research on soil carbon and greenhouse gas management in Kazakhstan’s carbon farming. The program provides for the introduction of carbon-saving agricultural technologies, the improvement of soil fertility, and the preservation of agroecosystems.”

“We highly value the bilateral agreements reached and the practical steps taken towards their implementation. The creation of a carbon ‘mirror’ polygon will contribute to the development of joint research, climate, and agrotechnology initiatives between Kazakhstan and Russia.”

Deputy Head of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Denis Sergeevich Sekirinsky, supported the initiative and noted: “Having advanced methodologies, including those developed at polygons, gives Russia the opportunity not to be a passive consumer of foreign standards, but to become the architect of its own rules. At the same time, this strengthens Russia’s position on the international climate arena, especially in dialogue with BRICS, EAEU, and Asian countries with similar ecosystems or facing similar challenges.”

The meeting of the Expert Council under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia was attended by: Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Ruslan Said-Khusainovich Edelgeriev, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Denis Sergeevich Sekirinsky, Director of the Center for Agro-Bioresource and Ecology Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhanna Sarsimbayevna Almanova, Special Representative of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for Biological and Environmental Safety Nikolai Dmitrievich Durmanov, Director of the Federal Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Ivanovich Belyaev, representatives of government bodies, heads and directors of scientific and educational organizations, and scientists.

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The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Open Joint Carbon “Mirror” Polygon “Kaz Agro Carbon” with Russia