From May 13–14, 2025, the Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC 2025), organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), was held in Ashgabat. Experts from across sectors and countries in the region came together to address the challenges and opportunities linked to climate change and its consequences. GIZ, along with other development partners, provided support to the event and contributed substantively to this year’s agenda.
On the first day, a panel session was held on regional climate cooperation and climate justice. The session brought together representatives from international organizations, government institutions, and the expert community to discuss key regional initiatives aimed at reducing climate risks and strengthening adaptation capacity across Central Asia.
The GIZ regional programme “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia” (CRM CA) presented its core achievements and approaches to integrating climate risk assessments into strategic planning and sectoral policy. The programme team has launched the implementation of climate adaptation measures identified through climate risk assessments conducted in selected river basins. These findings will also support local authorities in developing climate adaptation action plans.
The session also highlighted joint efforts between CRM CA programme and the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction to develop a transboundary early warning system for floods. This initiative includes recommendations for improving i) the exchange of hydrometeorological data between national hydrometeorological services and ii) the exchange of hazard information between emergency agencies in transboundary areas.
“Enhanced collaboration between HydroMet services and emergency agencies in Central Asian countries will help detect floods, mudflows, and other hydrometeorological risks more effectively and build resilience in vulnerable areas,” noted Mr. Ukashev Zhergalbek, Acting Director of the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction.
In the second part of the session focused on climate justice, representatives from UNFPA, UN Women, and UNICEF emphasized the need to prioritize the rights and needs of vulnerable groups in climate policy. Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating sexual and reproductive health issues into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and adopting gender-sensitive approaches in climate strategy development.
“The climate crisis is not gender-neutral. By 2050, under a worst-case climate scenario, climate change could push up to 158.3 million more women and girls into poverty (16 million more than men and boys) and 236 million more women and girls into food insecurity, compared to 131 million more men and boys,” emphasized Ms. Rebeca Acin Rivera, Regional Specialist, Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at the UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office.
The session concluded with a call to further strengthen regional cooperation, share best practices, and enhance dialogue among international organizations, governments, and local communities. Participants agreed that only collective action can secure a resilient and just climate future for Central Asia.
“Effective climate risk management and climate justice is only possible through close coordination among countries in the region. Dialogue platforms of CACCC 2025 clearly demonstrate that Central Asia has the potential to become a model for a coordinated response to climate challenges that considers the needs of vulnerable populations,” stated Sergey Makarov, Programme Director, “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia”, GIZ.
Additional information
You can find news, reports and conference recordings on the CAREC website Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC 2025).
Photo: © CAREC 2025.