On December 2, at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP) in Dubai, Green Central Asia facilitated a side event at the Central Asia Pavilion under the title “5 Countries – 1 Region – 1 Voice”.
The side event was attended by Mr. Torsten Brezina, Cluster Coordinator on Climate, Water, Energy in Central Asia, GIZ Kyrgyz Republic (moderator), Ms. Christina Wegelein, Head of the Department for Climate and Security, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Mr. Erlan Nysanbaev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), Mr. Vladimir Grebnev, CAREC, Mr. Serik Bekmaganbetov, IFAS.
The side event successfully presented the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Central Asia – collaborative initiative by Central Asian countries within the framework of Green Central Asia. Organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), this event aimed to highlight the significance of the Strategy in addressing the unique climate challenges of the region and sharing experiences.
The event started with an overview of Central Asia’s climate challenges, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts. Unique regional factors affecting the climate, including the drying of the Aral Sea, glacier shrinkage, and desertification, were discussed. Anticipated impacts, such as increased hydrological droughts and threats to food security, were highlighted. The importance of adaptation measures in safeguarding people, infrastructure, livelihoods, and ecosystems was underscored, emphasizing the nexus between adaptation actions, food security, and poverty reduction efforts.
The side event successfully brought attention to the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Central Asia, fostering a shared understanding of its objectives and implementation plan. The diverse panel of speakers provided valuable insights, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the specific climate challenges faced by Central Asia. The event concluded with a call for sustained collaboration and concerted efforts to enhance climate change adaptation and resilience in the region.
For reference: The Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Central Asia is rooted in the comprehensive framework of the “Green Central Asia” initiative, initially launched by the German Government. This collaborative effort involves five Central Asian countries and is guided by the concerted endeavors of the regional Working Group dedicated to developing the adaptation strategy. The initiative is strategically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a long-term vision aiming for collective climate resilience enhancement across the Central Asian region by 2030.
Photo source: CAREC
More information please find here: https://carececo.org/en/main/news/ks-28-rkik-oon-strany-tsentralnoy-azii-prinyali-regionalnuyu-strategiyu-po-adaptatsii-k-izmeneniyu-k/
