Central Asian Countries Discussed Their Contribution to Global Goals on Climate, Land, and Biodiversity at СОР-30

As part of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-30), held in Belém, Brazil, a side event titled “Forests and Land Degradation: Synergies between the Three Rio Conventions and Central Asia's Contribution to Global Solutions” took place. During the event, co-organized by the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy of the Central Asia Climate Fund (CACF), participants discussed prospects for forest and degraded land restoration, as well as biodiversity conservation together with the Secretariats of the three Rio Conventions and the Food and Agriculture Organization. In addition, the OECD presented financial instruments to achieve synergy among the conventions on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and combating desertification.

The side event brought together representatives of UN agencies, environmental authorities of Central Asian countries, the scientific community, and civil society organizations.

Central Asia, being one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change–with rapidly expanding deserts, degrading pastures, and forests covering less than 10% of its territory–cannot remain on the sidelines. To protect ecosystems and prevent land degradation, the countries of the region are developing a joint initiative aimed at restoring degraded lands, expanding forest cover, and strengthening sustainable land management. This initiative will be presented at RES-2026 as a key contribution of Central Asia to global climate and environmental efforts.

Participants also highlighted the importance of integrating efforts under the three Rio Conventions – the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – as well as aligning them with regional initiatives. 

Representatives of Central Asian countries presented their proposals on forest and land restoration and biodiversity conservation as contributions to global processes. 

Following the event, participants agreed to strengthen cooperation in the lead-up to RES-2026 and developed a set of recommendations to be included in the summit’s final documents. 

As previously reported, the Regional Ecological Summit will be held in Astana on April 22-24, 2026, where pressing environmental challenges of Central Asian countries and possible solutions will be discussed.