Dubai – UAE – COP28 Central Asia Pavilion hosted the side event “Central Asia United: Forging a Climate-Resilient, Sustainable, and Secure Future” on December 5, 2023.
Climate change jeopardizes social and economic conditions, security and stability of the states. The decision is to establish fruitful cooperation and regional integration to combat social and economic challenges caused by climate change to achieve a secure and sustainable future for the region of Central Asia.
The CAREC Executive Director Zafar Makhmudov stressed the importance of integration in tackling climate issues. A good example is the Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change developed by the Central Asian governments under support of the international partners and presented at the CA Pavilion in Dubai.
The side event participants – representatives of the Central Asian relevant ministries, international organizations, donors, and experts – discussed climate change consequences in terms of security in Central Asia, and opportunities for regional cooperation based on an integrated approach to increase the level of socio-economic security and environmental sustainability in the region.
Beatrice Mosello, Senior Advisor, adelphi, noted the scarcity of natural resources caused by climate change can lead to social competition, increasing social tensions. In addition, the lack of natural resources can lead to migration. However, Beatrice Mosello believes that the solution to the problems of climate change, built on regional cooperation, will make it possible to successfully solve socio-economic problems.
Reportedly, today, the OSCE is working on the creation of a strategy for regional cooperation in the Central Asian countries.
The event was organized by the OSCE within the framework of the project “Strengthening Responses to Security Risks from Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia” together with CAREC.
Video recording of the discussion is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GHftFTef4
