ALMATY, 27 May 2024 - Delegations from across the countries of Central Asia and international experts are convening in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to discuss pressing issues around sustainable water and land management, energy, food security and environmental sustainability in the context of climate change in the region.
Central Asia is increasingly impacted by climate change and climate-driven water scarcity, land degradation and natural disasters. The Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2024) serves as an annual platform for dialogue to advance regional cooperation in addressing climate change impacts and transboundary climate risks. The conference gathers over 400 participants, including policy- and decision makers from Central Asia countries, international development partners, civil society, the private sector, and academia. Participants review progress, challenges, and gaps in the implementation of climate commitments by Central Asian countries, issues of carbon neutrality, green transition and security, and explore collective action to reduce climate-related disaster risks. The participants also review available platforms and capacity for bolstered regional cooperation on climate change adaptation.
"Central Asia is vulnerable to the adverse effects of a rapidly changing climate, given its agricultural economy, aging infrastructure, and rapid population growth. In these conditions, the need to improve regional cooperation in energy and water resources management alongside approaches to adaptation to climate change is obvious. The conference aims to strengthen this cooperation to increase the region's resilience," said Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).
The conference is also focusing on climate finance, emphasizing the importance of scope, governance, and fiscal policy in achieving climate goals and realizing ambitions.
"Climate change is an urgent challenge, and the countries of Central Asia can only address it if they work together. This means tackling a broad set of issues simultaneously, from adopting and implementing green policies to deploying green financing and investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. We will continue working hand in hand with our government counterparts, sharing our analysis and advice, but also providing financing for priority investment projects for the benefit of people in Central Asia," said Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia.
"With the adoption of the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, Central Asia is one step ahead of many other regions in the world. It helps along cooperation and coordination to strengthen adaptation and mitigation to climate change, which is ever more felt in the region. I am positive that these joint efforts among the countries will bear fruit for the entire population of the Aral Sea Basin," shared Dr. Caroline Milow, Programme Manager for the Green Central Asia Initiative, GIZ.
Parallel to the Climate Change Conference, a training program is arranged for content makers and journalists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Supported by CAWEP and PROGREEN, this initiative aims to raise climate issue awareness and build the capacity of media professionals. The training provides a comprehensive understanding of the current climate impacts on people's lives, the economy, and development. It also offers opportunities for participants to connect with and interview regional experts, enhancing their ability to communicate climate-related challenges and solutions effectively.
This conference also serves as a preparatory stage for the countries to discuss the participation of the Central Asia governments at the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29) scheduled for November 11-22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
