Central Asia Faces Growing Climate Risks, Kazakh President Warns at COP29

Tokayev called for enhanced international cooperation to address the challenges of climate change and highlighted the importance of predictable financing and access to cutting-edge technologies in reaching these goals.

Photo credit: Akorda

At the World Leaders Climate Action Summit held within the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the global climate agenda.

Addressing the summit's opening plenary session, Tokayev underscored the urgent need for international cooperation in the fight against climate change, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media. 

President Tokayev pointed out that in order to achieve the tasks set it’s necessary to ensure access to predictable financing and latest technologies. The Kazakh leader stated that under the New Collective Quantified Goal it is important to draw special attention to regions, that are most vulnerable to climate change, including developing countries with no access to the sea.

Despite the fact that Central Asia is responsible for a mere 1% of total global emissions, the region is facing multiple climate-related risks. In order to increase the efficiency of the measures taken to address climate change, it is important to actively use advanced technologies such as AI, satellite monitoring as well as other digital instruments, allowing for early prevention and greater management of water and land resources, said the President.