QAZAQ GREEN. On 7 November 2023, Astana hosted the historic "Central Asia on the way to the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC: 5 countries – 1 region – 1 vote" regional forum, organized by the International Centre for Green Technologies and Investment Projects in cooperation with the Regional Environmental Centre of Central Asia with the support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Over 200 participants from the five Central Asian countries came together to strategize and to create a joint statement on behalf of the region in advance of COP28 scheduled to take place at the end of the month in Dubai.

 Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev opened the event. He emphasised the importance of the forum for exchanging ideas, developing common priorities and strategies to combat climate change. He also expressed confidence that mitigation and adaptation measures contribute to long-term sustainability and the preservation of natural heritage for future generations.

The Forum included two key sessions. The first session dealt with the climate agenda in Central Asia and included speakers from the Republic of Kazakhstan and other countries in the region. The second session of the forum discussed the role of international partners in the sustainable development of Central Asia.

Speakers reported on decarbonisation measures taken in Central Asian countries, plans and actions on transition to green energy.

At the close of the first session, Torsten Bretsina, the Regional Programme Coordinator for GIZ, delivered a speech. According to him, the Central Asian countries, in their participation in COP-28, have formulated a draft Regional Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in Central Asia and a Regional Statement of Central Asian countries. These documents encapsulate the region's climate challenges and outline priorities on the climate agenda.

Bretsina highlighted that these documents are presently undergoing the agreement procedure among Central Asian countries. He urged for an expedited completion of this process before COP-28, scheduled to be held in Dubai, UAE, from November 30 to December 12.

"A key topic of discussion at COP-28 will be the balance between mitigation ambitions and the resources available to countries for both emission reductions and adaptation. This is the first regional climate change adaptation strategy in COP's history. The expert society will be looking at instruments for financing these areas. Central Asian countries need to unite their voices and present the problems of the region in a clear and understandable way so that you are heard and address common climate change-related problems and challenges, such as glacier melt in Central Asia and others," emphasised Torsten Bretsina.

COP-28 is anticipated to showcase a pavilion dedicated to Central Asian countries, hosting events aligned with the thematic program. These events will cover various crucial topics, including the decarbonization of the economy, the development of a green finance system, carbon markets, biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change, with a specific focus on the water sector.

Moreover, discussions are underway regarding the Republic of Kazakhstan's accession to international initiatives proposed during previous sessions. Anticipated outcomes include the signing of agreements aimed at facilitating the implementation of significant investment projects in the realm of renewable energy sources (RES) development.

COP-28 stands as the preeminent annual gathering for deliberating the state of the planet's climate. It serves as a platform for discussing measures to combat climate change and strategies for adaptation. The conference plays a pivotal role in shaping global efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change.

    Ardak Januzakova