Central Asia Calls for Fairer Climate Policy

Leading politicians from Central Asia and neighboring countries have warned that the global transition to a low-carbon economy could further exacerbate existing imbalances if it is not made more equitable. Developing countries, which have contributed only minimally to climate change, are particularly hard hit by its consequences and should not be left to bear this burden alone.

At the regional environmental summit in Astana on April 22, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that climate policy must not come at the expense of development. He called on the international community to adopt a more balanced and inclusive approach.

“Industrialized nations have reached their current level through decades of industrialization,” Tokayev said. “In my view, selective approaches to environmental issues must not be accepted. The transition must be fair and balanced.”

He warned against political approaches that could restrict growth in emerging economies. “We must enable countries to continue developing without compromising their development opportunities,” he said. “There must be no denunciation, shaming, or blame.”

Tokayev also emphasized that environmental issues and global stability are closely intertwined. “These efforts should serve peace and equitable development,” he said. “Nature can exist without geopolitics—and geopolitics cannot exist without nature.”

With regard to Central Asia, he pointed to the region’s shared risks. “We share rivers, landscapes, and climate risks, and above all, we share responsibility,” said Tokayev. Water scarcity, desertification, air pollution, and the loss of biodiversity are among the most pressing problems. “It is time to find solutions.”

Unequal burdens, limited resources

Other heads of state and government echoed these sentiments, pointing to growing environmental damage in their countries, even though their share of global emissions is comparatively small.

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that climate change is accelerating visibly and measurably in Central Asia. “Nearly a third of the region’s glaciers have disappeared,” he said. “Precipitation patterns are becoming increasingly erratic, water scarcity is on the rise, and soil degradation now affects 80 million hectares.”

At the same time, he criticized the gap between international announcements and concrete action. “Declarations and calls to action are not backed up by deeds,” said Mirziyoyev. “Once again, the countries that have contributed the least to climate change must bear the consequences alone.”

He therefore called for concrete support mechanisms. “International solidarity is needed,” he said. “Developing countries must have access to climate finance and advanced technologies.”

Armenia’s President Vahagn Khachaturian also highlighted the particular vulnerability of mountainous countries. Armenia contributes only 0.02 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet is already feeling the effects of climate change quite clearly. “As a mountainous country, Armenia is already severely affected,” he said. The average temperature has risen and will continue to rise through the middle of the century.

Khachaturian reported more frequent flooding and increasing environmental damage. “Like other mountain states, our country is particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation,” he said. At the same time, he called for international climate protection measures to prioritize the most vulnerable developing countries, especially mountain states.

Climate Change as an Economic Risk

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov highlighted the economic consequences of climate change. “Climate-related challenges are hampering economic development and the well-being of our people,” he said. Kyrgyzstan is responsible for only 0.3 percent of global emissions, yet bears a disproportionately heavy burden.

The sharp increase in natural disasters is particularly alarming. “Mudslides and floods have tripled since 2020 and cause nearly $16 million in damage annually,” said Japarov.

At the same time, he warned of the long-term consequences of glacier retreat. “Glacier coverage has decreased by 16 percent, and by 2100 we could lose up to 80 percent of our glaciers,” he said. This would have serious consequences not only for Kyrgyzstan but for the entire region.

The water level of Lake Issyk-Kul has also dropped, while the number of its tributaries has declined sharply. Since Kyrgyzstan’s energy system relies heavily on hydropower, this further exacerbates the situation. Japarov warned that inaction could reduce the country’s gross domestic product by two to three percent by 2040.

Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon described water scarcity as a global challenge requiring joint action. “Water scarcity and environmental degradation have become an enormous challenge—not just regionally, but globally,” he said. Although Tajikistan possesses about 60 percent of Central Asia’s water resources, it is itself heavily affected by climate change.

“Of the roughly 14,000 glaciers, about 1,400 have completely disappeared,” Rahmon said. The ongoing glacial melt and the decline in snowfall are threatening water availability in the region. He also pointed to the sharp increase in extreme weather events: In 2025, Tajikistan recorded more than 60 dust storms with a total duration of about seven months—a scale that had never been seen before.

Mongolian President Uchnaagiin Chürelsüch also warned of significant risks to fragile mountain and permafrost regions. “Our unique but sensitive ecosystem is already clearly feeling the consequences of this century’s changes,” he said. By 2050, his country’s water resources could be reduced by half.

Appeal to the international community

Several speakers combined their warnings with an appeal to the international community to distribute responsibility more equitably. Tokayev cautioned that ecological challenges cannot be viewed in isolation from global political tensions. “We are meeting at a time of growing uncertainty and unpredictability,” he said. These developments undermine stability, quality of life, and development opportunities, while simultaneously diverting resources needed for environmental tasks.

He called for stronger international governance and warned against selective interpretations of global rules. “The role of the international community is of crucial importance,” said Tokayev. “The UN Charter must be upheld. Selective interpretations should not be accepted in international conflicts or in environmental matters.”

In closing, Tokayev emphasized that environmental policy must always be understood as a matter of the foundations of human life. “Ecology is not limited to the climate,” he said. “It’s about clean air, safe water, healthy food, and stable food systems. Ecology is a way of living responsibly on our shared planet.”