The Road to COP29: Collective Ambition Raising in Central Asia
Temperatures in Central Asia are rising faster than the global average, resulting in a drier climate and accelerated desertification. Glaciers, crucial for the region's water supply, are melting at unprecedented rates. Regional Climate Impact Drivers (CIDs) include shifts in mean temperatures, precipitation levels and the frequency of extreme events like droughts, heatwaves and floods. These trends, some of which are already observable, will affect the energy, agriculture, transport and health sectors, increasing socioeconomic vulnerability and potentially leading to over 5 million internal climate migrants by 2050.
In response to increasing and cascading climate risks, Central Asian governments are increasingly mainstreaming climate action in development plans and collaborating on regional forums designed to coordinate climate knowledge services, investments and capacity building.
Platforms for Collaboration
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), as the implementing agency of the strategic Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for the Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB), is a key player in assisting regional governments and stakeholders in advancing climate, environmental and sustainability initiatives.
CAREC, together with other strategic partners, organizes the annual Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC) which, now in its 6th edition, is playing an increasingly important role in centralizing and unifying efforts across the region.
With COP29 soon to be held in Azerbaijan, in the neighboring South Caucasus region, Central Asian governments are using platforms like the CACCC to amplify their focus on climate finance, increase effective collaboration and raise both national and collective ambition.
This year’s CACCC, in Almaty, Kazakhstan brought together numerous policymakers, technical experts and stakeholders from across the region. The conference served as a timely platform as countries prepare to submit their NDC 3.0, the third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due in 2025 under the Paris Agreement’s current ambition cycle.
Governments across the region are paying closer attention to attracting investment, fostering green innovation and laying a strong foundation for fiscal and financial sustainability. The “CACCC-2024 Final Document,” adopted by all participants, mirrors growing regional sentiment, emphasizing a collective commitment to achieving climate goals through concrete actions, regional cooperation and innovative solutions.
“A regional approach and the development of transboundary solutions are the only way to counter negative impacts and consequences of climate change in the long term,” emphasized Torsten Brezina, Cluster Coordinator for Regional Programs in Central Asia at GIZ, speaking at the CCACC.
Regional Action and Implementation
According to Zafar Makhmudov, CAREC Executive Director, clear progress is being made across the region, with governments developing and managing reliable, transparent systems for their countries to effectively implement the Paris Agreement and achieve common climate goals.
Significant developments are underway in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, all NDC Partnership Country Members. Alongside national mainstreaming and cross-border collaboration, these countries are also engaged with the Partnership’s Global Call for NDCs 3.0 & LT-LEDS. Through the Global Call, countries can request support to develop their NDCs 3.0, develop or refine Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) and align these two instruments.
The Republic of Kazakhstan, the host country for CACCC-2024, has emerged as a regional climate action leader. The country's updated NDC sets an unconditional target of reducing emissions by 15% by 2030, a conditional target of 25% compared to the 1990 baseline, and an ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2060. Kazakhstan plans to organize a Regional Climate Summit in 2026 and establish a Climate Change and Green Energy Project Office for Central Asia in Almaty, which will serve as the summit's working body.
The Kyrgyz Republic is prioritizing climate resilience, with a particular focus on water management and agriculture as critical sectors for the nation's economy and well-being. As part of these efforts, the country plans to implement the "Decade of Actions for the Development of Mountain Regions 2023-2027" and establish a “Regional Center for the Implementation of Energy-Efficient and Resource-Saving Technologies” in Bishkek. Additionally, through the Global Call, the Kyrgyz Republic has developed an NDC Implementation Plan for 2020-2030, which targets the water, agriculture, energy, health and forestry sectors. The country is currently consulting with the Partnership to determine the best approach for advancing the NDC 3.0 process.
The Republic of Tajikistan serves as a strong example of effective climate finance mobilization. The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the NDC Partnership, has led the development of Tajikistan's Climate Finance Plan. This plan is designed to identify, mobilize, assess, and scale up international climate finance, helping Tajikistan achieve its climate targets. “It is one of the most comprehensive finance plans developed,” noted Amanda McKee, Director for Knowledge and Learning at the NDC Partnership, while in Almaty. The plan encompasses the prioritization of investments, gap analysis, finance landscape assessment, enabling environment considerations and monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
Unlocking Climate Finance to Raise Ambition
Access to climate finance is critical for implementing NDCs and enabling ambitious climate mitigation and adaptation actions. Despite increased funding calls, countries need to mobilize at least USD 4.3 trillion by 2030 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. However, serious barriers remain, including complex financial architectures and challenges in accessing key funding sources.
Central Asia faces significant challenges in this regard, as highlighted in the 2023-2030 Climate Finance Access and Mobilization Strategy for Central Asia and South Caucasus (CASC). Many countries struggle to utilize the full range of climate finance instruments due to insufficient capacity in developing and implementing climate projects. Additionally, high capital costs for projects, particularly in renewable energy, put the region at a disadvantage compared to developed countries. The estimated climate finance need is USD 38 billion per year up to 2030, necessitating substantial efforts to bridge this gap.
In 2018 alone, the CASC region received USD 1.7 billion in international public climate finance, a small fraction of the estimated USD 5 billion needed annually for climate-adjusted infrastructure investment, on top of USD 33 billion in baseline financing. The misalignment of international finance flows with regional needs underscores the urgency of channeling available funds to better match national and regional priorities.
Speakers at this year's CACCC panel session on finance highlighted this urgency, noting the critical need for regulatory analysis and innovative financial tools to attract both international and private investments. They also emphasized the importance of involving both public and private sectors and incorporating new financial instruments such as green microfinance and insurance. Tapping into alternative sources, such as regional sovereign wealth funds, could also support both domestic and regional investments.
The NDC Partnership serves as a neutral broker between countries and financiers, supporting NDC implementation and bridging the finance gap. The Partnership’s Finance Strategy, launched in 2022, supports Country Members in addressing persistent barriers to finance such as capacity development, improving enabling environments and engaging the private sector, among others.
Tools for Action
By collaborating, prioritizing climate finance agendas and developing more ambitious NDCs 3.0 to be submitted in 2025, governments across Central Asia are stepping up as climate leaders. The NDC Partnership stands ready to continue supporting its country members at this critical juncture for collective action.
The recently launched NDC 3.0 Navigator is now available for countries in the region to help guide NDC updates and enhancements. The interactive online platform helps developing nations explore nationally relevant approaches to preparing ambitious NDCs, raising ambition and addressing implementation and financing needs for stronger 2025 submissions.
The new “Unlocks Finance” Route of the Navigator can specifically guide countries towards unlocking climate finance in the next round of NDCs 3.0. The Navigator also equips countries to scope and prepare high-quality, comprehensive requests for NDC and LT-LEDS support through the Partnership’s Global Call. Support is available to all Country Members.
Learn more about the Global Call and about the NDC Partnership’s work on climate finance.