Ecological summit achieves historic environmental pact and secures €2 billion for green transition
The Regional Ecological Summit in Astana marks a significant milestone, as the heads of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan adopted a joint declaration on “Environmental Solidarity...
The Regional Ecological Summit in Astana marks a significant milestone, as the heads of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan adopted a joint declaration on “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia”.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set the tone for the regional dialogue in his opening remarks.
“Environmental cooperation must serve as a reliable instrument of unity and should not divide us. It should be based on partnership, trust and shared responsibility – with no naming, no shaming and no blaming. As partners, we must work pragmatically and responsibly in support of peace and sustainable development.”
Alongside the summit, efforts were also made to bridge the region’s climate agenda between global climate negotiations. The Central Asia Climate Change Conference, held on the sidelines, aimed to connect regional priorities with the broader COP process, according to Yerlik Karazhan, head of Central Asia Climate Foundation.
“The summit comes at a key moment — allowing countries to reflect on the last COP in Brazil and prepare for the next round in Turkey later this year,” he said.
As a result, participating countries committed to developing joint positions across multilateral environmental processes. These include negotiations on biodiversity, chemicals and waste management, tackling plastic pollution, improving air quality, addressing land degradation and desertification, and advancing a consolidated regional stance on key international platforms.
Among the key outcomes was the endorsement of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal to establish an international water organisation under the United Nations. Regional leaders also backed the creation of an international biodiversity fund and a programme addressing the challenges of the Caspian Sea.
The declaration also includes the establishment of an International Day of Greening the Planet, alongside the rollout of cooperation through the Central Asia Project Office platform on climate change and green energy in Almaty.
A five-year regional environmental action plan, developed in partnership with the United Nations, was also approved. It includes a joint climate investment portfolio, a regional Environmental Performance Review, a framework on nature-based solutions, a partnership programme on the circular economy, and the “Green School” regional platform.
The timely summit
“States of our region clearly understand the urgency and extreme significance of having shared vision for a resilient future,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the opening session of the summit.
Tokayev first proposed holding the summit at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2023. After three years in development, the regional dialogue, held in partnership with the United Nations, culminated in leaders signing a binding declaration.
National delegations took part in 58 sessions on the sidelines, focusing on key environmental priorities across the region.
Among the outcomes was the signing of a Regional Declaration on Biodiversity Conservation, aimed at developing ecological corridors to protect vulnerable ecosystems and rare species. Kazakhstan also advanced its “Greenshield of Central Asia” initiative, which focuses on creating protective forest belts and green barriers to tackle land degradation and dust storms.
Another key development was the endorsement of a proposal to establish a regional centre under the Stockholm Convention in Kazakhstan, aimed at strengthening institutional capacity in chemical safety and the management of hazardous waste.
Regional leaders respond to climate pressures
Regional leaders used the platform to highlight shared environmental challenges and national priorities.
Water security remains a critical concern for Kazakhstan and the wider region, said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
“Our future depends on managing this vital resource wisely and fairly. The Aral Sea remains a stark reminder of the consequences of unsustainable policies, but also of what determined, science-based action can achieve. Another pressing concern for my country is the Caspian Sea. Its protection is essential for ecological balance, biodiversity and regional sustainability.”
Sadyr Japarov highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s central role in supporting regional agricultural, energy and food security, while pointing to an imbalance in compensation mechanisms.
Often described as Central Asia’s main “water tower”, Kyrgyzstan generates around 50 billion cubic metres of water annually, using only a fraction domestically, with the rest flowing to neighbouring countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
“For decades, we have maintained water allocation limits while providing storage and release services. Kyrgyzstan ensures the safety of hydraulic infrastructure and invests significant resources in water management. However, we do not receive compensation in the form of fossil fuels,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised the importance of financing for the energy transition.
“Countries that have contributed the least to global climate change are once again left to face its consequences alone. We believe international solidarity must be reflected in ensuring timely, fair and unhindered access for developing countries to climate finance, advanced technologies and innovation.”
International gravitas lends weight to summit agenda
Senior representatives from the United Nations and its specialised agencies, alongside other international organisations, took part in key sessions at the summit — adding political weight to the region’s environmental agenda.
Among them were UN Under-Secretary-Generals Li Junhua; Inger Andersen; and Tatiana Molcean.
Speaking at the opening session, Li Junhua outlined the UN’s assessment of global progress, warning that the world remains off track to meet the 2030 sustainable development goals. He called for stronger investment, expanded climate financing and deeper regional cooperation to close what he described as a widening global gap.
“This means unlocking climate financing at scale for low carbon development. Accelerating renewable energy transition. Building circular economies and preserving the ecosystem that drive inclusive, resilient growth. It also demands equitable access to green and frontier technologies through partnerships and, crucially, equipping people with skills to turn those innovations into lasting impact.”
UN officials also expressed support for the Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, noting its potential to play a “transformative role” in advancing the region’s sustainability agenda.
Backing was also voiced for President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal to establish an international water organisation under UN auspices, as well as for the ongoing consultations among member states.
“Water defines borders, and our solutions must do the same. Central Asia’s experience and leadership will be indispensable in shaping the global water agenda. In this regard, I welcome President Tokayev’s visionary call for a dedicated international organization on water,” Li said.
Water diplomacy
Water security emerged as a central theme of the summit, underscoring the region’s growing environmental pressures.
In his opening remarks, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for greater international engagement, stressing that any use of military force in the Caspian region “must be excluded”.
Central Asia is warming faster than the global average, while glacial melt is projected to peak between 2035 and 2055. The region is also grappling with the ongoing crisis of the Aral Sea, alongside declining water levels in the Caspian Sea, which are falling by around 10 centimetres a year — posing risks to biodiversity and key shipping routes.
The summit also launched consultations on the creation of a new international water organisation. A consolidated report is now being prepared to guide subsequent rounds of negotiations, with the aim of delivering concrete outcomes at the United Nations Water Conference 2026 Abu Dhabi in December 2026.
In parallel, an interparliamentary dialogue involving the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly initiated work on a joint action plan to strengthen cooperation on water management and cross-border governance across Central Asia.
Heads of state also convened at a separate high-level meeting of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, as Kazakhstan concludes its three-year chairmanship.
“Water security is of critical importance for Kazakhstan and the entire region. Our future depends on managing this vital resource wisely and fairly,” Tokayev said.
He added that around 36% of the Northern Aral Sea has been restored, improving water quality, fish stocks and living conditions.
Kazakhstan has also launched an interstate programme to prevent further degradation of the Caspian Sea and established a dedicated research institute to strengthen regional scientific cooperation, he said.
Investing in the energy transition
The summit also secured major green investment deals and saw the signing of strategic partnership memoranda.
Kazakhstan concluded a framework agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme to establish a Regional Environmental Hub in Almaty.
The summit also marked the signing of a memorandum with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to launch the QaJET energy transition investment platform.
The initiative aims to deploy 10 gigawatts of new renewable capacity by 2035, cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 million tonnes annually, and mobilise around €17.4 billion in investment from public and private sources.
Kazakhstan remains a carbon-intensive economy, with coal accounting for around 54 per cent of electricity generation. The CO₂ intensity of its GDP is nearly 70 per cent higher than the global average.
According to the EBRD’s Managing Director for Central Asia and Mongolia, Hüseyin Özhan, the platform will help streamline the country’s transition towards a low-carbon economy.
“Country investment platforms for a just energy transition are key vehicles for delivering green transformation. Our involvement in establishing and implementing these platforms across our countries of operation is therefore essential,” he said.
In parallel, 17 agreements worth nearly €2 billion were signed during the International Exhibition of Green Technologies, covering renewable energy, waste management, industrial decarbonisation and fertiliser production.
One of the flagship projects is the construction of a one-gigawatt wind farm in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region, developed through a joint venture between TotalEnergies and KazMunayGas.
By combining power generation with battery storage, the project is expected to improve grid stability and strengthen energy security, while preventing approximately 2.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
With investment commitments and strategic partnerships taking shape, organisers hope the summit will translate political commitments into concrete steps towards greater environmental and economic resilience across Central Asia.
