Central Asia United for Environmental Future

The Regional Ecological Summit in Astana saw Central Asian nations, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, adopt a joint declaration on "Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia." This declaration aims to unify their positions ahead of international environmental negotiations. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized partnership and shared responsibility, stating environmental cooperation should be an instrument of unity. The summit also served to bridge the region's climate agenda with global processes, preparing for future COP meetings.

Key outcomes from the summit include commitments to joint positions on biodiversity, chemicals, plastic pollution, air quality, and land degradation. Leaders endorsed a proposal for an international water organization under the UN and supported the creation of an international biodiversity fund and a program for the Caspian Sea. A five-year regional environmental action plan, developed with the UN, was also approved, outlining a joint climate investment portfolio and a framework for nature-based solutions.

Water security was a central theme, with leaders discussing the Aral and Caspian Seas. Kyrgyzstan highlighted its role as the region's "water tower" and the need for fair compensation mechanisms. Uzbekistan stressed the importance of financing for the energy transition, advocating for developing countries' access to climate finance and technology. The summit secured major green investment deals, including a framework agreement with UNEP for a Regional Environmental Hub in Almaty and a memorandum with the EBRD for an energy transition investment platform aiming to deploy 10 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2035.