On September 7, 2021, the Executive Director of CAREC met with the Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Development Agency KazAID and the Head of the Cooperation Department of the Delegation of the European Union in Kazakhstan.
The purpose of the visit is to discuss the Central Asia Pavilion at the 26th Conference (COP-26) of the UNFCCC: Glasgow, Scotland, Great Britain, November 2021, which will allow strengthening the presence of CA countries at the 26th Conference of the Parties.
Magzum Maratovich, the Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Akhmetzhan Abdizhamilovich, the Vice-Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MEGNR RK) were presented with the concept and vision for filling the content of the Central Asia Pavilion at COP-26 of the UNFCCC, which will be presented in Glasgow, Scotland, Great Britain in November 2021. The Concept was developed by CAREC in cooperation with Olzhas Pernikhanovich, the National Coordinator of the Working Group on preparation for COP-26 and the Director of the Climate Policy and Green Technologies Department of the MEGNR of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The goal of the Pavilion is to ensure that the contribution of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries is highly represented in the context of global efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Participation in the Pavilion will also allow attracting new partnerships to provide technological, expert and financial support for the implementation of the obligations on the renewed nationally determined contributions (NDC) of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the Paris Agreement. Organizational issues of preparation of the delegation from Kazakhstan were discussed.
Kazakhstan stands out as the largest country in the region and an issuer with a distinct emission profile and UNFCCC status. The country plans to present a wide range of topics - from cities and forests to renewable energies, emissions trading and monitoring systems, reporting and verification. Adaptation actions are a key priority for Uzbekistan, especially in the Aral Sea region, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of renewable energy is also important for the country. Tajikistan is the lowest carbon state in Central Asia and, at the same time, the most vulnerable, accordingly, adaptation to climate change is a top priority. The economy and energy system of Turkmenistan is dependent on natural gas and emission reductions are a priority, while very hot and dry climates require multisectoral adaptation. The climate actions and priorities of the Central Asian states have many similarities, but also differences. Consequently, the pavilion should provide flexibility for the presentation and discussion of both national and regional priorities.
Zafar Hakimovich, Executive Director of CAREC at a meeting with Dastan Sheriazdanovich the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Development Agency "KazAID" agreed to coordinate and unite efforts for effective interaction in the Central Asia region to resolve regional problems, as well as on the need to strengthen work in Afghanistan on cross-border cooperation in the field of protection the environment, as well as on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in Kazakhstan and the region.
At the meeting with Mr. Johannes Stenbæk Madsen, Head of the Cooperation Department of the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, strategic issues were discussed. The EU supports CAREC on Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Central Asia region.
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UN Conference on Climate Change - the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP-26) will be held on October 31 - November 12, 2021 in Glasgow, UK. The Heads of State are scheduled to attend the UNFCCC COP-26 UN Climate Leaders Summit.
The head of state of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, said that Kazakhstan's commitment to the development of a decarbonized economy has no alternative. According to him, the European Agreement has become a pioneer in vigorous climate action aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The President recalled Kazakhstan's intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This goal was announced during the Climate Change Ambitious Summit in December 2020.