Over the past twenty years of cooperation UNDP has assisted Kazakhstan in preparing key national and regional policy documents, legislative drafting, institutionalization and capacity building of authorities at different levels of government. These efforts were made through the use of best global practices and on-going support to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Development for the sake of all population groups focuses on bridging social inequalities, especially in regions with a high poverty level. In these very areas UNDP partners need to identify best global practices and experience for formulating and launching national mechanisms. With the country recording significant economic growth over several years, bridging of regional disparities and provision of more equal access to social services become main priorities for UNDP's work in Kazakhstan including doing so in cooperation with private companies operating in Kazakhstan.

Another area of the Programme’s intervention is promotion of energy efficiency and protection of the environment. This includes support to the national partners in implementing the Concept of Sustainable Development of Kazakhstan till 2024, improved environment protection and dissemination of innovative practices in water and land use and biodiversity conservation. UNDP also assists the country’s efforts in addressing global warming challenges through promotion of energy saving, water resources conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources including wind energy.

An important area of UNDP’s activities is the dissemination of democratic governance practices. In this aspect, UNDP focuses on several sub-areas: enhancing efficiency of public institutions; strengthening human right institutions; promoting dialogue and cooperation between NGOs and authorities in implementing and monitoring public policies, and developing parliamentary traditions.

Since 1995 UNDP has been involved in the preparation of National Human Development Reports (NHDR) and other research documents promoting national development and policy dialogue. Training in and study materials on human development published by UNDP are now used by Kazakh universities.

In line with the regional concept of UNDP in Central Asia, much attention is paid to participation of Kazakhstan in regional initiatives in economic reforms, fostering a trade-enabling climate as well as democratic governance and environmental management reforms.