International climate negotiations, which take place annually in the form of Conferences of Parties (COPs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, are regularly criticized for their complexity, overload, and limited effectiveness. COP29, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November, was no exception. One promising alternative is to strengthen the role of regional processes .
For three years in a row before COP29, from 2021 to 2023, Central Asia presented itself at the climate negotiations under a unifying banner: Five countries – one region – one vote . This positioning was no longer present in Baku, but the Baku platform was so close to us culturally and geographically that all countries in the region, except Turkmenistan, presented their national pavilions.
In 2023, at COP28 in Dubai, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed holding a regional climate summit in Astana in 2026. This forum and preparations for it should become not only a platform for further unification of efforts at the regional level, but also an opportunity to increase the visibility of the region in climate negotiations.
Photo (c) The Astana Times
We invited Saule Sabieva , Director of the Climate Policy Department at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan , to discuss the results of the latest round of climate negotiations, COP29 in Baku, and how a regional climate summit could close the gaps in Central Asia.
Interviewed by Aliya Vedelikh (AV) especially for Ecostan News.
AV: Two months ago you returned from the Baku climate talks. What did they mean for Kazakhstan?
Saule Sabieva: I am pleased to have the opportunity to share with you the results of these negotiations. They were of critical importance for Kazakhstan.
Firstly , a decision was made in Baku to triple the financial commitments of developed countries to developing countries. We are talking about reaching the amount of annual financing up to $300 billion by 2035, and this is an important step forward. For us, as a country striving for sustainable development, this means the opportunity to obtain additional resources for the implementation of environmentally sustainable projects and programs. These funds could help in our efforts to decarbonize the economy and adapt to a changing climate.
Secondly , some progress was made in Baku in systematizing adaptation measures. “Standardizing” climate adaptation will allow us to better coordinate our own efforts to combat climate impacts, such as floods. This will make it easier for us to identify the most appropriate international practices and integrate them into our national strategies. All this will ensure more effective protection of our natural and economic resources.
In addition , the COP29 decisions on market mechanisms for cooperation open up new opportunities for our country at the global level. We can use them to participate more actively in emissions trading. This will attract additional investment and will contribute to an accelerated reduction of greenhouse emissions.
AV: Why are we holding a regional climate summit and how is it different from other regional conferences, such as the Central Asian Conference on Climate Change, which is held annually by the Regional Environmental Centre?
Saule Sabieva: The regional climate summit that we will hold in Astana in 2026 has several important goals. First, it is an opportunity for the countries of our region to come together to discuss the climate challenges that we already face and that are specific to us, and to jointly seek solutions. Our summit will help establish closer cooperation and exchange practical experience adapted to our specific conditions.
The difference between our summit and other regional conferences is its focus on the needs of the region and its practical approach. Our summit is focused on developing specific joint initiatives and projects that will help not only discuss, but also implement measures to improve the environmental situation in the region.
The summit will allow us to attract the attention of the international community to our initiatives and receive investment support for their implementation. This is a necessary step towards a more sustainable future for Kazakhstan and the entire region.
AV: What topics will be the focus of the summit? What results are expected?
Saule Sabieva : There are five. First of all, this is support for the energy transition : through the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The next large block is adaptation and economic resilience to climate risks ; here we will talk about regional approaches to achieving the global adaptation goal, regional and national adaptation goals and mechanisms for compensating for losses and damages.
A separate topic is food security in the context of climate change : how to build sustainable food systems taking into account the vulnerability of our agriculture. The fourth topic is a fair and inclusive regional transition , about protecting the most vulnerable groups and creating alternative opportunities for the population. And finally, mechanisms for achieving climate ambitions : technology transfer, climate financing, market mechanisms.
Expected results include the adoption of a regional strategy for mobilizing climate finance, the development of a regional instrument for responding to loss and damage, the creation of a technology transfer mechanism for Central Asia and the adoption of a research support programme in the countries of the region, as well as the establishment of a regional food supply centre in Kazakhstan.
AV: What opportunities will the public have?
Saule Sabieva : Our platform will unite the efforts of Central Asian countries, partner countries, international organizations and development institutions, the academic community, the private sector, civil society and youth. That is, despite the high level, we will ensure the participation of all interested groups of the public. In preparation for the summit, we, the organizing team, will hold regional consultations and meetings with experts, representatives of civil society and the private sector of Central Asia.
От COP29 в Баку до регионального климатического саммита в Астане
