Glasgow, 11 November 2021 – An ambitions climate summit is completing its work. For the first time, the countries of Central Asia have presented their consolidated Pavilion “Central Asia: 5 countries - 1 region - 1 vote” and voiced the consolidated Regional Statement at UNFCCC COP26.
What is the essence of this significant document? The main idea of the Draft Statement is that only joint efforts of the five Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan – may mitigate the dramatic consequences of climate change in the region.
What causes the consequences of climate change in the region?
1. Isolation from the oceans
2. An unprecedented rise in temperature
3. Active melting of glaciers
4. The rise of hot and dry days
5. The growth of natural emergencies
6. Reducing the number of water resources
“The heads of Central Asian states had repeatedly drawn attention to the Aral Sea crisis from the high-level rostrum of the UN General Assembly,” said in the Draft Statement by Central Asian Countries entitled “The Voice of Central Asia”.
As noted, “Regional and international teamplay is essential for winning the battle against climate change, fostering sustainable development, keeping populations in their respective countries and reducing internal as well as external climate-induced migration.”
The countries of Central Asia unanimously state, “Central Asia can serve a venue for testing innovative technologies, methods and approaches of building up climate resilience, achieving the de-carbonization objectives under the Paris Agreement, promoting the post-pandemic recovery, and ensuring peace and prosperity in the Region.”
The draft Regional Statement "The Voice of Central Asia" adopted unanimously by all Central Asian states, was developed with the support of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).
CAREC initiated and provided comprehensive assistance to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and parliamentarians of the Central Asian countries to develop the consolidated Central Asian message.
The Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD), established in 1993 by the heads of state of the Central Asian countries, coordinated the preparation and approval of the draft Regional Statement with all CA states.
“We may call the Regional Statement a sensation. For the first time in UNFCCC, Central Asian states voiced their consolidated regional position,” said Bakhtiyor Pulatov, director of the Uzbek branch of the ICSD scientific information center.
The joint position of the countries of Central Asia “5 countries - 1 region - 1 vote” drew the attention of the world community. A number of agreements were signed at Central Asia Pavilion. Among them are Memorandum of Understanding on Conservation of Snow Leopard Conservation its Prey Base and Habitat in Western Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai, and establishment of Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub (ReCATH) in Central Asia.
Contact person – Irina Bubenko, Knowledge Management Specialist, CAREC, ibubenko@carececo.org