The European Union and Estonia hold annual campaigns to clean rivers and coastal areas. This tradition continued today in the Kazakh capital, where 400 people gathered on the embankment of the Essil River, reports Infotabigat.kz.
EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleska Simkic noted that the main goal of the World Cleanup Day campaign is to promote environmental awareness, highlighting the growing engagement of young people year after year.
“Today, I am truly inspired by the dedication of all participants who have come together to clean the Essil Riverbank and support a greener Kazakhstan. The #EUBeachCleanup campaign remind us that every action counts — whether reducing plastic, recycling, or simply picking up litter. I am grateful to every person who came to support the action. Together, we can promote environmental responsibility, foster sustainable practices, and contribute to a cleaner and healthier future for Kazakhstan, Europe, and the world”.
Photo: Embassy of Estonia in Kazakhstan
One of the young participants was Miras Kairgaliuly, a 10th-grade student at the “Zerde” school. He noted that while the city center looks clean, areas outside are often littered, especially along rivers and lakes where people spend their leisure time.
“The Essil River is polluted because people don’t clean up after themselves. We’ve already collected about twenty bags of trash. To be honest, the city itself is clean, but once you step outside, there is a lot of garbage. In summer, residents of Astana come to the riverbank, barbecue, and enjoy their time, but the fact that they leave piles of waste behind is really upsetting,” the student shared.
Photo: Embassy of Estonia in Kazakhstan
The idea of protecting the environment first emerged in Estonia in 2008. According to the Estonian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Mr. Jaap Ora, nearly 200 countries around the world are now actively involved.
“What began in Estonia has grown into one of the world’s largest civic movements. Every year, nearly 20 million people from about 200 countries take part. I am glad that Kazakhstan is part of this global initiative. Together we show that protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share,” the diplomat said.
It is worth noting that the event on the Essil River included not only cleanup efforts but also a clothes swap organized with the support of Likekomek, where participants exchanged unused but clean garments for eco-friendly products. Volunteers also participated in “3 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life” challenge and children enjoyed engaging educational activities hosted by Global Green Hub.