Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, 27-29 May 2024 — Representatives of the Scientific-Information Center and the Secretariat of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) participated in the 6th Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2024), held under the theme “Connecting Climate Goals with Action: Making Ambitions a Reality.” The Conference was organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in partnership with international organizations and development programmes, including the World Bank, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other partners.
CACCC-2024 served as a key regional platform for reviewing the progress of Central Asian countries in implementing their commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, financial institutions, the scientific community, civil society and the private sector. Discussions focused on climate adaptation, mitigation, climate finance, innovative solutions and the strengthening of cross-sectoral cooperation.
Sessions during the CACCC-2024. Photocredit to CAREC.
During plenary and thematic sessions, participants reviewed the outcomes of regional preparations for the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, progress in the preparation of the first Biennial Transparency Reports, and mechanisms for mobilizing and effectively managing climate finance. Particular attention was given to enhancing resilience to climate-related disasters, advancing national and regional adaptation frameworks, promoting the engagement of science and youth, and supporting pathways toward carbon neutrality and circular economy approaches.
Representatives of ICSD took part in discussions on the scientific underpinning of climate policy, sustainable natural resource management and the improvement of national climate reporting systems. The participation of specialists from the Scientific Information Center of ICSD contributed to the exchange of regional experience and highlighted the Commission’s technical expertise in environmental monitoring, sustainable land management and the implementation of regional environmental programmes in Central Asia.
A key feature of the Conference was its focus on practical mechanisms for translating climate commitments into concrete action at the national and regional levels. Participants presented approaches to strengthening institutional capacities, fostering innovation and expanding access to financial resources required to achieve climate objectives.
Participants of CACCC-2024. Photocredit to CAREC.
At the conclusion of the Conference, participants adopted an Outcome Document reflecting shared approaches of Central Asian countries and development partners to further strengthen regional cooperation on climate change.
The participation of ICSD representatives in CACCC-2024 contributed to enhanced cooperation between national and regional institutions and supported alignment of the regional climate agenda with the implementation of the Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and other joint initiatives in the field of sustainable development.
The event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area No 4 dedicated to SDG 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” |
| 4.3 Assessment of climate risks and vulnerabilites through the application of corresponding models of a climate change impact on water resources, terrestrial ecosystems and natural disasters, tackling the development of state policies and strategies in this area. |
| Priority area No 6 of REP4SD dedicated to SDG 17: “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development” |
| 6.1 Involvement of the region into implementation of global environmental conventions, programmes and initiatives. |