SDGs in the Greater Caspian Region: how to engage stakeholders?

The panel starts with the expression of ideas if there is a lack of stakeholders to invest into the Great Caspian Region. The experts mostly deny this statement and speak about the lack of useful projects, lack of awareness or necessity of governmental and private sector's participation.

Igor Almazov, Power Grid, ABB Power Grids Schweiz AG, Baden, Switzerland describes the main problem of investment into the Greater Caspian Region is the lack of financing. ABB makes cooperation with Expert Credit Agencies to support projects in finance and insurance issues.

Alexander Bychkov, President & General Director, Investment Company IC RUSS-INVEST, Moscow, Russia says there are some differences in SDG between international and local corporations. According to a joint research of Effie Russia and KPMG, FMCG, Petroleum and gas industry and IT sectors are the sectors that most actively implement SDG. The 8^th SDG is in the top of priority in Russia, while the 9^th is in the world. Most of the respondents believe that federal authority must coordinate promoting SDG in Russia, while international branches think that it is up to private business.

Linar Yakupov, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia adds that the responsibility to attract stakeholders should be shared between both private and governmental sectors. Collaboration of efforts can help to move further in any project.

Christina Korp, Founder & CEO, Purpose Entertainment, Florida, USA states that having government regulations working with commercial companies where the government helps enable processes and commercial companies capitalize and develop them is the best way.

Helen Teplitskaia, Adviser to the Chairman and CEO, Sberbank, Moscow, Russia points to Sberbank that finances mega infrastructure projects, as well as renewable energy projects. Collaboration and cohesion in actions between government and corporate partners is the key to fulfill the goals and engage the stakeholders.

Boris Korchemkin, Managing Director, Russia & CIS, Aon, Moscow, Russia agrees on the opinion that collaboration is a key element of sustainability for long-term projects.

Mustafa Mastoor, Minister of Economy, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan answering the question about the possibility of cross border collaboration named many projects between different countries and regions that are being worked on now. Christina backs the idea up by giving a bright example of the USA and Russia working close together in space investigation.