Tokayev Calls Global Warming 'Major Challenge' for Central Asia

In his remarks at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, spoke on the importance of transport infrastructure.

According to the President, transit and transport are the most important conditions for sustainable development for Kazakhstan, which has become a leading transit hub in Eurasia, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazinform.

He said that Kazakhstan actively invests in transport infrastructure, including automobile roads and railways, airports and seaports.

“Kazakhstan intends to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and North-South Transport Corridor, and play a key role in the Road & Belt initiative, in order to further expand communication opportunities. We set a target to create stable supply chains, which will let strengthen regional interconnectivity and ensure sustainable economic growth,” said the head of state.

Global warming is one of the major challenges for the Central Asian region, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.

“Accelerating warming may threaten ecosystems, living conditions and food security, which requires urgent climate adaptation strategies. The region hugely depends on transboundary rivers. It is crucial to create early warning systems and improve water and land resources management. For this, we should invest in water saving technologies, modernize irrigation systems, enter into effective agreements on water resources management, use artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring and other digital tools,” the President stressed.