The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP-26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, Great Britain, became the center of attention of the world community last week. And this is understandable since the COP26 is a real chance to get the whole world on the path to solving the colossal climate problem and building a greener, more prosperous future for all of us. Over 140 countries, including Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - attended the Summit.
It is remarkable that for the first time in 26 years, the countries of Central Asia act as a single region with a unified position. They understand as well as possible that no country can cope with solving the global climate problem alone. It is safe to say that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have made a historic breakthrough by coming together.
"The 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was a sensation for the Central Asian region. For the first time at this global forum, the countries of Central Asia united in the format of a pavilion, voiced the single draft Statement on behalf of the Central Asian governments, and brought forward a unified regional position on behalf of the civil sector," said Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) at the opening ceremony of the Central Asian pavilion.
The Central Asia Pavilion was organized at the request of the national focal points of Central Asia, who applied to the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia. The issue of the need to unite the region at COP26 was repeatedly discussed at the meetings of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of CA countries and CA parliamentarians.
That is why the Central Asia Pavilion was presented to the international public under the slogan «5.1.1: 5 COUNTRIES - 1 REGION - 1 VOICE».
The program of the CA Pavilion was intense. It presented the investment potential of CA countries, their role in the global climate process, prospects and existing needs for financing, technology and expertise. The attention of the world community was drawn to the high vulnerability of the region and the risks of climate migration, especially in the context of current geopolitical stability.
High-level visit
On the first day of the large-scale international climate forum, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov led a delegation to the joint CA Pavilion and had working meetings there. Sadyr Japarov expressed his gratitude to Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director of CAREC, for organizing and opening of the CA Pavilion at UNFCCC COP26.
Draft regional statement of CA countries
For the first time in the 26-year history of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - presented themselves as a single region and voiced a draft regional statement at the leading climate summit.
The key-note of the regional statement is an appeal to the international community, primarily the UN structures, to pay special attention to the critical problems of the Central Asian region caused by climate change and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The document emphasizes the special geographical position of Central Asia, which has no access to the oceans and seas, which significantly increases its vulnerability to climate change.
Special attention is also paid to the importance of joining forces to combat climate change and adapt to its impacts at the regional and international levels.
"Central Asia can be a testing ground for innovative technologies, methods and approaches to increase climate resilience, achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on decarbonization, contribute to post-pandemic recovery and achieve peace and prosperity for the Region," the statement said.
Regional Statement by Central Asian Countries at COP26
V Meeting of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and parliamentarians
The platform of representatives of MFAs and parliamentarians of Central Asian countries was initiated by CAREC with the support of the European Union in 2016.
In 2019, the CAMP4ASB project put climate change issues on the agenda of the platform with the aim of bringing to the attention of decision makers, objective information on climate change, adaptation and mitigation, both in the region and in the world as a whole.
According to the Agenda of the regular fifth meeting, the participants discussed and exchanged views on topical issues of the implementation of the Paris Agreement in terms of legislation and strategic planning.
A draft regional statement of the countries was also presented at the meeting.
The video is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRXO45uxXrE
Appeal by NGOs of the Central Asian countries.
For the first time, the regional "Appeal by Central Asian NGOs on Climate Change" was announced at COP26. The main message is an appeal to the governments of Central Asia to strengthen national and regional programs to prevent the climate crisis in the region. The appeal of the civil sector was discussed at the side-event "The position of civil society in Central Asia on climate change" held in the joint pavilion of Central Asian countries.
The Appeal was developed jointly by all Central Asian NGOs with the support of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC).
In particular, the Address states that the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan should "adopt stronger goals to reduce greenhouse gas emission and take a more proactive position in promoting the region's interests and role in international climate commitments and processes.
In addition, NGOs from Central Asian countries are calling on the authorities to create non-declarative legislative conditions to support renewable energy sources, abandon the construction of nuclear power plants and fossil fuels subsidies.
The civil sector sees the climate sustainability of the region in strengthening measures to restore and preserve the fertility of soil, mountain, forest, pasture and aquatic ecosystems. It considers it necessary to disseminate climate-resilient technologies at the state level.
The appeal also notes the importance of taking into account the transboundary nature of water resources, environmental and climatic risks and opportunities.
"We call on the governments of Central Asian countries and all international partners to critically and jointly with all stakeholders review existing approaches, including outdated practices and infrastructure of water and land use, as well as the legal and institutional frameworks for regional cooperation and to form a new model of regional development in the face of climate change and other global challenges", - stresses the "Appeal by Central Asian NGOs on Climate Change".
Central Asian NGOs Statement on Climate Change
Svetlana Mogilyuk, Chairman of the Public Association "ECOM", thanked CAREC for coordinating the preparation of the regional message and organizing the joint CA Pavilion at COP26. The video is available at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU1rVXJhSpg
Briefly about the main points
· A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the conservation of the snow leopard, its forage reserve and habitat in the Western Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai.
· The Committee on Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in partnership with FAO, the NDC Secretariat and the Asian Development Bank held a side event on "The Updated Nationally Determined Contribution of Tajikistan: Main Aspects and Funding Needs and International Expertise". Watch the video on the RECCA Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-4Xo1HJzx4
· The International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (ICGTIP) in partnership with the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, UNDP Kazakhstan and CAREC discussed "Regional unity in combating climate change". During her speech, Aliya Nazarbayeva, head of the Association of Environmental Organizations of Kazakhstan, called on the participants of the Glasgow Climate Summit to influence the environmental situation in Central Asia.
«According to international studies, Kazakhstan ranks second in terms of organic pollution among European and Central Asian countries. The concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere of cities is dozens of times higher than in the European Union. According to estimates, air pollution in our country causes up to 6,000 premature deaths per year. We understand that it is impossible to implement a plan to save the region's ecosystem without cooperation with neighboring countries and support from international institutions», Aliya Nazarbayeva said. (https://inbusiness.kz/ru/news/edinym-frontom-strany-centralnoj-azii-obedinyayut-usiliya-v-borbe-s-izmeneniem-klimata)
· CAREC organized a side-event "Main aspects and needs in financing, technologies, capacity building, international expertise and the role of civil society in Central Asia in the framework of Nationally Determined Contributions". During the event, the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Central Asian countries to reduce CO2 emissions were presented. Participants were also familiarized with the long-term program Policy Action for Climate Security in Central Asia. This program involves the development of a voluntary strategy that guides governments to integrate climate change mitigation and socio-economic development into national policies. Watch the video at the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUEUxOlZXxI
· Possibilities of working with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) were demonstrated at the Side Event "Central Asia: A Regional Approach to Working with the Green Climate Fund". Participants discussed how to create a mechanism for exploring GCF financial instruments to obtain financing for "green" projects in a short period of time. The video is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZylMh8L5Wo
· During the Side Event "Opening of Green Investments", Ainur Kopbayeva, Deputy Director of the Climate Policy and Green Technologies Department of the MEGNR of the RK, said: «Kazakhstan is open for dialogue and interaction with financial institutions to implement green projects and attract green investments». Watch video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzIVyExJpcw&t=757s
In one line
Side-events were held on such current topics as:
· RES & ENERGY SAVINGS: a contribution to carbon neutrality. Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGxRwCVs9M
· Climate Change Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan till 2030 and Adaptation to Climate Change. Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvb2kpNJjDg
· Adaptation to climate change in Tajikistan. Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0dk3GB9ok
Central Asia - Kazakhstan cooperation toward carbon neutrality and business opportunities. Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0dk3GB9ok
Quotes
The role of CAREC in the preparation, organization and support of the CA Pavilion at COP 26 was highly appreciated.
Chairman of the EC IFAS Mr. Mr. Sulton Rakhimzoda: «I want to express my gratitude to CAREC for organizing the meeting which is taking place in the framework of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, this is the 26th conference here in Glasgow. And perhaps it is symbolic because COP26 and Glasgow is now the focus of the whole world community... I believe that today's meeting will give further impetus to our actions, our efforts at regional and international levels to achieve the resilience of our economies to the impacts of climate change».
For the first time in the history of the UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties, a Regional Statement on behalf of the Central Asian governments was delivered on November 4, 2021. In his speech, Mr. Bakhtiyor Pulatov, Director of SIC ICSD RUz, emphasized the significant role of CAREC in preparing this Statement, which was prepared with participation of national partners: "Let me thank CAREC for organizing such an important event at COP26, for providing a platform for Central Asia", - said Mr. Bakhtiyor Pulatov.
The moderator of the session "The position of civil society in Central Asia on climate change", Ms. Svetlana Mogilyuk, Chairman of the Public Association "ECOM" (Kazakhstan) noted the significance and importance of CAREC's work in this area. At the side-vent Ms. Svitlana Mogilyuk expressed gratitude to CAREC on behalf of the civil sector. "This year, CAREC has made a very serious effort to help us group together. It leads in one of the projects to support a climate network where we communicate with you, and created this opportunity for us to have a side event at such a serious conference," said Ms. Svitlana Mogiliuk.
UNDP Uzbekistan, Bakhodur Paluaniyazov, Head of the Sustainable Development Department, noted the importance of CAREC's work in organizing and supporting the work of the CAREC Pavilion: «My congratulations on a significant achievement. Great job!»
NFCCC Convention Secretariat, Olga Pilifosova: «The CA pavilion looks very impressive. Beautiful slogan - 511 "Central Asia: 5 Countries - One Region - One Voice at COP26". RECCA is doing a great job. Congratulations on the first results. Bravo!»
World Bank, John Brian Collier, Technical Coordinator, CAMP4ASB: "I am very impressed with what the CAREC team is doing at COP26 in Glasgow. A very good Regional Climate Change Statement from CA countries. It's awesome!"
The Central Asian Pavilion is organized by CAREC in cooperation with EC IFAS and ICSTI, with financial support from the World Bank, OSCE, ERG, FAO and UNDP.
Organizers of Side Events at the CA Pavilion, November 1-5, 2021:
· Aga Khan Agency for Habitat
· Asian Development Bank
· World Bank
· State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Environmental Protection
· Green Climate Fund
· Executive Agencies
· Committee on Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
· Climate Change Coordination Center
· «National Conservation Initiative» Corporate Foundation
· International Organizations
· International Financial Center “Astana” (IFCA)
· International Center for Green Technology and Investment Projects (ICGTIP)
· Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
· Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic
· Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan
· Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
· Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan
· National authorities
· National authorized bodies to work with the Green Climate Fund in the Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and in Turkmenistan
· EU Project Youth Resilience to Climate Change
· UNDP Kazakhstan
· UNDP Tajikistan
· UNDP Uzbekistan
· Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC)
· NDC Secretariat
· US Chamber of Commerce
· Nazarbayev University
· FAO
During the first week of events at the CA Pavilion at COP 26, 12 events were held: 7 regional and 5 national events. Speakers of regional and national meetings repeatedly noted and highly appreciated the role of CAREC in the preparation, support and work of the CA Pavilion at COP 26, which for the first time in 26 years of the Conference of the Parties started its work for the CA countries, in particular, it was noted by the Chairman of EC IFAS, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda. And for the first time in the past time from civil society organizations, the moderator of session "Civil society position on climate change in Central Asia" Mrs. Svetlana Mogilyuk, Chairman of the Public Association "ECOM" (Kazakhstan) noted the significance and importance of CAREC`s work in this direction. UNDP Uzbekistan noted the excellent work in preparing and holding events in the CA Pavilion.