On May 13, in Turkmenistan’s capital city Ashgabat, the Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025) convened to bring together experts, policymakers, and representatives of international organizations. National and regional climate policy plans, current progress, financing pathways and innovative technologies are some of the many topics presented during the three-day event. The main fields of interest included environmental protection, water and land restoration, climate change adaptation and the energy sector.
Regional programme titled EU4SustainableCentralAsia: Renewable Energy in Central Asia* led a dedicated parallel session on renewable energy. Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, opened the discussion, highlighting the importance of close cooperation between countries and EU’s commitment for continued support, including through the EU–Central Asia Green Energy Dialogue.
Participants also examined successful case studies from Central Asia and comparable regions, with an expert panel offering practical lessons that can guide national energy transitions. The panel featured voices from both energy and climate sectors, including top-management and specialists. Coupled with local stakeholder feedback, such insights are crucial to align national energy strategies with global climate commitments and to secure improved energy future for all. Topics from key challenges such as policy alignment, infrastructure gaps, and financing, to positive prospects, all confirmed how stronger regional cooperation can reveal shared solutions.
*Renewable Energy in Central Asia is a new regional programme commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and co-funded by the European Union. It is also part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy to promote clean, smart, and secure energy systems. The programme supports sustainability and green transformation in the region’s energy sector, with a focus on innovation, policy reform, and cross-border collaboration.
The conference is organized by the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) with the support of the Government of Turkmenistan. Partners are the World Bank’s RESILAND Tajikistan Project, the Central Asia Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP), and the Climate Risk Management in Central Asia Project implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German federal enterprise for international cooperation) on behalf of the German Government.
