On 10 February 2023, a meeting to discuss the public role in regional cooperation on climate change adaptation in Central Asia took place. The climate change vulnerability of the region demands coordination across Central Asia. Zafar Makhmudov, the Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), comments.
- Zafar Hakimovich, will the countries of Central Asia be able to coordinate to adapt to climate change, and what is the role of the public in this process?
- The Central Asian region is a single ecosystem. Climate change is global, and our region cannot escape it. We live in one home, and it is essential to negotiate and tackle climate issues together in due time despite differences.
As for the coordinating mechanism, CAREC already has it. It is the dialogue platform of MFAs and parliamentarians of Central Asia. The platform is precisely unique as an independent environmental platform that brings together representatives of the Foreign Ministries, ministries, parliaments and public organizations of Central Asia. It is based on coordinated interaction between civil society, government agencies and parliamentarians of the countries of Central Asia.
Starting from Glasgow COP26 UNFCCC in 2021, the dialogue platform of MFAs and parliamentarians of Central Asia has demonstrated that Central Asian governments, parliaments and civil society organizations succeed in joint achievements. This work resulted in regional statements on behalf of the governments of Central Asia, civil society and youth, which were voiced at the Conferences of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Let me emphasize that these regional statements reflected the joint position of all the countries of Central Asia.
CAREC highly appreciates the public’s participation in the regional processes to address climate change issues at all levels, including environmental innovation and climate policies, approaches and methods.
Our organization is designed to and has the mandate to support the effective interaction between government agencies, non-governmental environmental organizations, academia and expert community to support sustainable development across the region.
I believe CAREC has all resources to contribute to the region’s integration and facilitate environmental problems solving involving all stakeholders at a high level.
Recall that the Regional Public Platform on Water and Climate Change in Central Asia held the Webinar on Public Participation in Central Asia Regional Programs on environment protection, Climate Change, and Water Resources on 10 February 2023. CAREC provided technical support for the webinar’s organization.By Zhanna Husainova