Central Asian leaders are meeting today in Astana for the region's first-ever Regional Ecological Summit (RES), aiming to forge a unified approach to the escalating environmental crisis.
The summit, proposed by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will focus on developing concrete climate actions and enhancing regional cooperation to address critical issues like water scarcity and land degradation.
Water security is a primary concern, with the Aral Sea serving as a stark reminder of past environmental catastrophe. Once the world's fourth-largest lake, it has lost over 90% of its volume due to irrigation diversion. Restoration efforts, including a dam built by Kazakhstan in 2005, have shown positive results in the North Aral Sea.
Leaders will also discuss the rapid decline of the Caspian Sea, which is falling by approximately ten centimeters annually, threatening biodiversity and shipping routes.
President Tokayev is also expected to pursue the establishment of a dedicated UN water agency, highlighting the strategic importance of water resources for sustainable development and regional stability.
The region faces acute climate risks, with average annual temperatures rising faster than the global average. This has led to significant glacier melt in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, impacting land and water availability for millions.
The summit is set to conclude with a joint declaration outlining green financing needs, adaptation strategies, and the acceleration of low-carbon technologies, with Kazakhstan alone anticipating over €1.5 billion in investment agreements.