Tokayev Calls for Unity as Astana Prepares to Host the 2026 Regional Climate Summit
Written by: Dr. Abdulrahim I. Abdulwahid
ASTANA, Kazakhstan — In a compelling appeal for collective action, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that “the climate emergency is the clearest demonstration of our interdependence and shared future. Only through joint efforts can we shape a more stable, equitable, and sustainable world.”
These remarks, delivered at the Astana International Forum (AIF), have become the driving force behind one of the most consequential environmental gatherings in Central Asia’s history — the Regional Climate Summit 2026 (RCS 2026), scheduled to take place in Astana in April 2026.
Proposed by President Tokayev and organized in partnership with key UN agencies, the summit will bring Central Asian nations together to coordinate their response to rapidly intensifying climate challenges. The event will convene heads of state, climate policymakers, international organizations and development partners to advance the low-carbon transition, bolster climate adaptation, improve food and water security and build an inclusive, fair green economy.
Environmental Pressures
President Tokayev highlighted that Central Asia is demonstrating unprecedented unity and shared purpose. He stressed that the region’s environmental pressures — including the Aral Sea catastrophe, declining Caspian Sea levels, severe water scarcity and rising temperatures — demand deeper cross-border cooperation. Climate risks, he noted, do not respect national boundaries and require a coordinated regional strategy, backed by strong global partnerships and UN engagement. The upcoming summit is thus expected to serve as a crucial platform for charting the region’s long-term climate trajectory.
Preparations are already in full swing, guided by a series of regional consultations led by the Central Asian Climate Fund’s Project Office. Initial meetings took place in Almaty and Samarkand, followed by thematic discussions during the Central Asia Climate Change Conference in Turkmenistan. Additional coordination rounds are planned at COP30 in Brazil and during the 80th UN General Assembly. A dedicated headquarters in Kazakhstan is overseeing technical planning and intergovernmental coordination.
The urgency behind the summit is underscored by the rapid pace of warming in Central Asia, where temperatures are rising nearly twice as fast as the global average. The region faces worsening desertification, accelerated glacier melt and more frequent extreme weather events — all of which threaten water supplies, agriculture, public health and economic stability. Scientific projections indicate that water flow in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers could decline by up to 15 percent by 2050, while glacier retreat in the Tien Shan mountains continues to strain freshwater resources. These shifts pose significant socio-economic risks, including mounting disaster-related losses and long-term threats to food and energy security.
National Borders
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nyssanbayev, reinforced these concerns during climate discussions at COP29 in Baku, noting that climate change “knows no national borders” and that only unified regional action can address the scale of the challenge. He reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to creating an open, constructive, solutions-driven environment at the summit, and expressed gratitude to international partners for their continued support.
The Regional Climate Summit 2026 is expected to deliver concrete outcomes, including joint political commitments, a new regional climate finance mechanism and cross-border initiatives in water management, renewable energy and climate adaptation. It will also strengthen early warning systems, promote knowledge-sharing and enhance partnerships for a just and inclusive transition.
Leader in Regional Climate
Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a leader in regional climate diplomacy and sustainable development. Yet President Tokayev emphasized that lasting progress requires substantial resources and strong international engagement. He reiterated that multilateral cooperation — founded on shared responsibility and dialogue — remains the only viable path forward.
The summit marks a pivotal moment for Central Asia as it seeks to build resilience, deepen regional cohesion and contribute meaningfully to global climate solutions. Through this landmark gathering, Astana aims to reinforce its role as a regional hub for climate leadership, sustainable development and long-term cooperation.
