QAZAQ GREEN.  The 2026 Regional Ecological Summit (RES) will take place in Astana on April 22–24 in partnership with the United Nations, with a particular focus on developing partnerships and launching joint initiatives. More than 30 joint initiatives, memoranda, and agreements aimed at expanding practical cooperation are expected to be adopted or signed following the thematic sessions. This was announced by Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mansur Oshurbayev at a press conference at the Central Communications Service.

"This will ensure a transition from dialogue to concrete action and strengthen regional cooperation," the speaker noted.

He also emphasized that the Summit will be funded entirely through sponsorship.

As part of the Summit, an international green technology exhibition — RES EXPO-2026 — is planned, where major industrial enterprises from Central Asian countries will present technologies already being implemented or planned for adoption to improve the environmental situation in the region.

"To give the Summit a practical focus and translate the agreements reached into concrete business solutions, an international exhibition of green technologies and sustainable solutions, RES 2026 EXPO, is also planned as part of the Summit, to be held at the EXPO international exhibition centre. The event is aimed at developing international cooperation, promoting sustainable technologies, and building an investment and expert ecosystem in the field of ecology and sustainable development," the Vice Minister said.

According to him, companies from 30 countries are currently expected to participate, and the geography of participants continues to expand. The exhibition will feature a rich cultural and business programme designed to comprehensively explore the environmental agenda through a variety of engagement formats. The exhibition will include national pavilions of Central Asian countries, industry-specific thematic zones, and a showcase of Kazakhstan's tourism potential.

Overall, the Summit is expected to serve as an effective platform for coordinating the efforts of states, international organizations, and other stakeholders, while also strengthening Central Asia's role in the global climate agenda and demonstrating the importance of interregional cooperation in achieving a sustainable future.

The participation of 93 high-level guests is also anticipated, including heads of state, leaders of international organizations, ministers, and heads of delegations, lending the event considerable political weight and international significance.

It should be noted that the Summit is above all aimed at delivering concrete outcomes. Following the event, a joint declaration by the heads of state of Central Asian countries on regional cooperation in the field of ecology and sustainable development is expected to be adopted. The instrument for implementing the decisions reached will be the Regional Action Programme with UN agencies for a Sustainable Future for Central Asia, which includes regional initiatives across the Summit's thematic areas. The Programme provides for the implementation of nature-based initiatives, including the establishment of a Circular Economy Partnership Framework. This framework is aimed at developing sustainable models of production and consumption — a transition to a model where resources are used more efficiently, waste is recycled and returned to economic circulation, and the burden on the environment is gradually reduced. This opens up additional opportunities for business and investment attraction, stimulates the emergence of new solutions, and strengthens regional cooperation.