Sustainable development requires an integrated approach that takes into consideration environmental concerns along with economic development.
In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Today, there are almost 140 developing countries in the world seeking ways of meeting their development needs, but with the increasing threat of climate change, concrete efforts must be made to ensure development today does not negatively affect future generations.
The Sustainable Development Goals form the framework for improving the lives of populations around the world and mitigating the hazardous man-made effects of climate change. SDG 13: Climate Action, calls for integrating measures to prevent climate change within development frameworks. SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land, also call for more sustainable practices in using the earth’s natural resources.
About the Hub: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazGU/KazNU) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is UNAI’s hub for sustainability. It has been engaged in a number of activities such as the Model UN training at Nazarbayev University which was conducted by KazNU students; the collateral seminar on Climate Change, Energy and Technology held at the Al-Farabi University Center for Cross Cultural Communication; and a photo exhibition entitled “Seeing a different Afghanistan” which was organized by the MDP/Global Classroom program at Al Farabi KazNU.
Al Farabi Kazakh National University
Introduction to Al Farabi Kazakh National University
This video provides a brief introduction to Al Farabi Kazakh National University, one of the largest universities in Kazakhstan.