On September 16, 2025, the forum “It’s About People: A Space for Sustainable Solutions” was held in Moscow — one of the key platforms dedicated to ESG, human capital, and corporate responsibility. The event brought together approximately 450 participants and representatives from over 200 companies. More than 60 speakers took part in the discussions, and the total reach of publications about the forum in the media and social networks exceeded 2.4 million views. Participants discussed best ESG practices, collaboration opportunities, the role of technology, regional development, and the launch of new projects. The organizers emphasized that the forum is not only about knowledge exchange, but also a platform for concrete decisions, business contacts, and practical steps toward sustainable business.
One of the notable events of the forum was the presentation of the digital consulting platform Sustainable Compass (https://compass.gpi.kz/). The project was presented by GPI Project Manager Azat Seitanov:
“Why are companies waiting for such solutions? In business communities, a thesis is increasingly heard: traditional consulting is no longer meeting the needs of business. Many companies have established ESG departments, but face a variety of standards that are difficult to interpret. Business depends on external consultants with comprehensive ESG knowledge, yet entrepreneurs want mobility and autonomy in decision-making. Companies need a simple tool that would allow them to independently improve their ESG performance without full dependence on consultants. This reflects a general trend — the world is moving away from template consulting services toward digital, localized, and integrable solutions.”
The developers position Sustainable Compass as a ‘digital ESG navigator’: a tool that automates routine processes, makes consulting accessible and effective, and provides personalized recommendations. The platform is presented as the first comprehensive Kazakhstani IT solution offering comprehensive ESG support.
Azat Seitanov also told Moscow colleagues about GPI’s participation in environmental and social initiatives. In particular, the joint program Smart Plastic Zone with Green Urban and Coca-Cola Kazakhstan was mentioned, aimed at combating plastic pollution. The project encourages organizations to switch to alternative materials, implement waste separation systems, and send plastics for recycling.
The platform’s creators emphasize that Sustainable Compass will be integrated with the company’s existing ESG initiatives. For example, the ‘sustainable technology showcase’ module will allow SPZ participants to display their own solutions, while the analytics block will collect and process data on plastic use for subsequent submission to the Ministry of Ecology.
Why should companies join Sustainable Compass? Thanks to online diagnostics, an educational module, and a marketplace of sustainable solutions, the platform offers the opportunity to:
- Receive an independent assessment of ESG standard compliance and immediately see recommended next steps;
- Train teams in current sustainable development practices;
- Find technologies, partners, and suppliers for implementing green projects;
- Prepare and publish non-financial reports;
- Participate in rankings and compare performance with industry leaders.
Sustainable Compass does not replace experts — the platform creates a digital environment in which specialists, business, and government interact more productively. This is fully in the spirit of the ‘It’s About People’ forum: not just talking about ESG, but launching real projects and finding partners to scale them. Azat Seitanov underlined the company’s openness to cooperation with public and private entities, and invited all interested organizations to undergo an ESG diagnostic at compass.gpi.kz and become part of the platform’s ecosystem.
