Climate-Induced Migration in Central Asia Discussed at COP-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 was organized on the topic “Climate-Induced Migration and Green Skills in Central Asia: Towards the 2026 Regional Ecological Summit.” The event was co-organized by the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy of the Central Asia Climate Foundations (CACF) and brought together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, academia, and civil society. Participants highlighted the urgency of the issue, agreed to strengthen cooperation to find effective solutions, and proposed several initiatives to shape the agenda of the upcoming Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES-2026).
The side event gathered representatives of relevant ministries from Central Asian countries, international organizations, financial institutions, academia, and the non-governmental sector.
During the discussions, it was noted that Central Asia is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change, with the rate of warming significantly exceeding the global average. The region is already experiencing a notable increase in average annual temperatures. According to expert projections, in the absence of urgent measures, temperatures in some parts of Central Asia may rise by 5-6°C by the end of the century.
Climate change is intensifying migration processes across the region. Droughts, desertification, and depletion of natural resources lead to the loss of traditional livelihoods and to the forced displacement of populations, particularly in rural areas.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has carried out extensive analytical work to assess migration trends in Central Asia. The analysis identified new patterns of internal and return migration, shifts in the socio-economic profile of migrants, and the growing impact of climatic and environmental factors on population mobility. These findings highlight the necessity of a comprehensive approach to addressing climate-induced migration that integrates climate adaptation, migration management, and human capital development.
The event presented regional approaches to addressing climate-induced migration through the promotion of green skills, job creation, and enhancement of communities’ adaptive capacity.
In conclusion, participants agreed to enhance the exchange of experience between Central Asian countries and the international community on issues of climate-related migration and green skills development, strengthen cooperation to find practical solutions, and submitted proposals to be considered in the formation of the RES-2026 agenda.
As previously reported, the Regional Ecological Summit is scheduled to be held in Astana on 22-24 April 2026, where the environmental challenges facing the countries of Central Asia and potential pathways for their resolution will be discussed.
