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Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Kazakhstan have called for a stronger and more systematic role in shaping, implementing and monitoring the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as efforts accelerate towards the 2030 Agenda. The call came during a round table organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of National Economy, the Economic Research Institute and the Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan, with support from the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office. The event brought together more than 70 representatives of civil society, government institutions and UN agencies to discuss how to move beyond consultation towards more meaningful civil society participation and influence in SDG-related policymaking.Discussions highlighted the important role civil society plays in connecting national policies with the realities and needs of communities, particularly those at risk of being left behind. Participants also emphasized that stronger engagement of CSOs can contribute to greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of sustainable development priorities. “Civil society organizations help us become more open and accountable. They participate in monitoring and evaluating the results of our work, provide feedback and help us understand where we can do better,” said Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan.“Civil society is also part of the UN’s decision-making and consultation mechanisms. Several UN agencies have civil society advisory bodies, while the UN Country Team in Kazakhstan works closely with its Youth Advisory Council. The UN is a diverse system of agencies working across areas ranging from health, education and agriculture to environmental protection, gender equality, human rights and crime prevention. This is why our partnership extends to dozens of civil society organizations representing different sectors and communities across Kazakhstan,” she added.Participants developed a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening civil society engagement in the coordination, implementation and monitoring of the SDGs. Among the key proposals were ensuring greater and more systematic CSOs participation in Kazakhstan’s national SDG architecture, improving access to sustainable resources for civil society organizations, strengthening the quality and availability of data, and creating more effective mechanisms for dialogue between civil society and public institutions. The recommendations also call for greater attention to the needs and participation of vulnerable groups and for closer cooperation between civil society and the private sector. Participants stressed that meaningful participation should extend beyond individual consultations and provide civil society with opportunities to contribute its expertise, evidence and community-level perspectives throughout the policy cycle.The round table also provided an opportunity for representatives of government, civil society and the UN system to exchange practical experiences and identify ways to strengthen partnerships around the SDGs at both national and local levels.The recommendations developed during the discussion will be submitted to the Government’s SDG Coordination Council and reflected in Kazakhstan’s national SDG assessment and monitoring report. They are expected to contribute to stronger links between policy decisions, evidence, public participation and the needs of communities as Kazakhstan advances towards the 2030 Agenda.The United Nations in Kazakhstan will continue working with the Government, civil society, the private sector and other partners to promote inclusive participation and ensure that diverse voices are reflected in the country’s sustainable development efforts.