This op-ed, written by Lorena Cotza (Communications Lead at the Coalition for Human Rights in Development), was published by The Diplomat on March 10, 2026. Read the full article here.
On March 15, Kazakhstan will hold a national referendum to adopt a new constitution. The controversial reform, aimed at further tightening state control over critical voices, includes burdensome and discriminatory requirements on NGOs receiving foreign funding. Yet, in a stark display of hypocrisy, Kazakhstan is increasingly courting foreign investments from development banks and multinational corporations. Foreign capital is celebrated as a driver of progress by the state, while foreign-funded civil society is painted as a threat.
This contradiction is not surprising. Kazakhstan, despite being the region’s strongest economy, is heavily reliant on foreign direct investment. At the same time, its highly centralized and authoritarian government fears any form of dissent: this type of law, under the pretext of curbing foreign influence, allows it to exert pressure on civil society and push critical voices into self-censorship.
In recent years, public development banks – such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the World Bank – have been increasingly investing in Kazakhstan. In February 2026, for example, the ADB announced one of the largest investments in the country to date: up to $5.4 billion over the next three years to fund regional cooperation and disaster resilience projects.
On paper, the ADB and the other public development banks operating in Kazakhstan commit to fund sustainable, inclusive projects. Beyond the slogans, though, it is hard to see how such projects can truly be sustainable. An open and vibrant civil society – where people can actively shape development projects, engage decision-makers, raise concerns and hold the government accountable – is the cornerstone of sustainable development. But how can people freely have their say if they risk being targeted for doing so?