Fourth Regional Consultation on the Preparation for Regional Climate Summit 2026

On May 29, 2025, in Dushanbe, within the framework of the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, the session "Climate Science and Research Inventory: A Foundation for Sustainable Solutions in Central Asia" will take place. This marks the Fourth Regional Consultation on the road to the Regional Climate Summit 2026, which will be held in Astana on the initiative of the H.E. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Central Asia is experiencing the impact of climate change with particular intensity: glacier retreat, water scarcity, and extreme weather conditions are becoming the new normal. In this context, science is not an abstraction — it is a vital instrument. That is why the core theme of the session is the role of climate research and monitoring as a foundation for sound decision-making.

Participants — including representatives of Central Asian government bodies, the scientific community, and international organizations — will gather to discuss:

• What climate data is already available, and what gaps remain;
• How to establish effective data sharing among countries, institutions, and researchers;
• How to support young scientists and build sustainable research teams;
• How to integrate scientific knowledge into policy and strategic planning;
• And, importantly, how to protect glaciers by advancing regional observation networks and modern sensing technologies.

Special attention will be given to the development of a Regional Program to Support Climate Research, including priorities, coordination mechanisms, and potential funding sources. This program could become a cornerstone for long-term consolidation of scientific efforts across the region.

The session is being held as part of the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation — and fittingly, glaciers hold a central place in the agenda. Their rapid retreat in the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains poses a direct threat to the resilience of the entire region. Participants will explore how to strengthen the scientific foundation through the development of a regional glaciological observation network, the use of satellite and remote sensing technologies, and the integration of glacier data into early warning systems and water resource planning.

The session is organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy, with the support of UNESCO.

Central Asia is coming together not only in the face of challenges — but for the sake of a shared sustainable future, where every scientific breakthrough contributes to security, development, and the lives of future generations.

Photo: Asia-today.news