Aida Zhagyparova

Fruits and vegetables are crucial components of a healthy diet, which are susceptible to pests. Therefore, the application of pesticides is a basic manner of crop chemical protection. The aim of this study was a comprehensive analysis of pesticide occurrence in 1114 samples of fruits and vegetables. A unified multi-analytical protocol was used composed of primary–secondary amine/graphitized carbon black/magnesium sulfate to purify samples with diversified profile of interfering substances. Moreover, the obtained analytical data were used to evaluate the critical acute health risk in subpopulations of children and adults within European limits criteria. Out of 550 pesticides analyzed, 38 and 69 compounds were noted in 58.6% of fruits and 44.2% of vegetables, respectively. Acetamiprid (14.1% of all detections) and captan (11.3%) occurred the most frequently in fruits, while pendimethalin (10.6%) and azoxystrobin (8.6%) occurred the most frequently in vegetables. A total of 28% of vegetable and 43% of fruit samples were multiresidues with up to 13 pesticides in dill, reaching a final concentration of 0.562 mg kg⁻¹. Maximum residue level (MRL) was exceeded in 7.9% of fruits and 7.3% of vegetables, up to 7900% MRL for chlorpyrifos in dill (0.79 mg kg⁻¹). Notably, 8 out of 38 pesticides found in fruits (21%; 1.2% for carbendazim) and 24 out of 69 compounds in vegetables (35%, 7.4% for chlorpyrifos) were not approved in the EU. Concentrations of pesticides exceeding MRL were used to assess acute health risk for children and adults. Moreover, the incidence of acute health risk was proved for children consuming parsnip with linuron (156%). In other cases, it was below 100%, indicating that Polish food is safe. The work provides reliable and representative scientific data on the contamination of fruits and vegetables with pesticides. It highlights the importance of legislative changes to avoid the occurrence of not approved pesticides in the EU, increasing food and health safety.

This article investigates the key drivers and barriers to the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in Kazakhstan. By conducting a thematic analysis of relevant documents, frameworks, and case studies, the study evaluates the current state of ESG practices in Kazakhstan and compares them with international standards set by S&P Global, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The findings highlight significant progress in regulatory support and investor demand but also identify critical challenges such as the lack of comprehensive ESG reporting standards, limited expertise, and infrastructure constraints. To address these issues, the article proposes a strategic framework that includes the development of a Unified ESG Reporting Standard, enhancement of corporate governance structures, investment in ESG infrastructure, and leveraging of market incentives. The proposed framework aims to align Kazakhstan's ESG practices with global standards, thereby enhancing its attractiveness to sustainable investment and improving its global standing in responsible business practices. Additionally, the article identifies gaps between Kazakhstan's ESG practices and international standards and offers targeted solutions to bridge these gaps, contributing to the country's sustainable development goals and attracting increased international investment.

Статья представляет структурный анализ обзорного характера в области финан-сирования горнодобывающей отрасли на основании статистических данных, демонстрирующихдинамику стабильности ориентированности инвестиционного капитала. Выявлены проблемы вструктуре источников внешнего и внутреннего финансирования, а также проблемы формированиясобственных фондов финансирования. Разработаны рекомендации по принятию управленческихрешений в разрезе таргетирования объемов привлекаемых инвестиций и собственных фондов фи-нансирования на необходимый уровень. Рассмотрены аналоги механизмов привлечения инвести-ций и реструктуризации их источников финансирования, наряду с этим предложены конкретныеальтернативы финансирования, учитывающие особенности финансовой деятельности горнодобы-вающей отрасли.