Kazakhstan’s Youth Discussed Climate Change Issues
With the support of the Central Asian Climate Fund (CACF), the National Youth Conference on Climate Change in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2026 (LCOY Kazakhstan 2026) was held in Astana. Following the event, young activists put forward recommendations on climate action and the implementation of Kazakhstan’s new national climate action plan — NDC 3.0.
The conference took place on August 28–29, 2026, at Nazarbayev University, bringing together representatives of government agencies, the non-governmental sector, experts, and young people.
The event was primarily organized by the student organizations “Climate for Us” and “Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth Kazakhstan” in partnership with CACF, with the support of Nazarbayev University, Narxoz University, NU Impact Foundation, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan, and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).
«Climate change is an urgent issue that is becoming increasingly acute with each passing day. The extreme weather events experienced by people in many countries, including Kazakhstan, this year are a clear illustration of this.
It is extremely important that this issue receives attention not only from scientists and government officials, but also from young people, as it is the younger generation that will have to live in a new climate reality. CACF experts study and analyze the processes taking place. We are always ready to support youth initiatives aimed at minimizing the impact of climate change on the population and the economy», – said Yerlik Karazhan, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Asian Climate Fund.
Key objectives of the conference:
● Provide young people in Kazakhstan with an inclusive and accessible platform for sharing experience, ideas, and initiatives in the fields of climate change and environmental protection;
● Strengthen the national youth network through educational seminars, training sessions, and capacity-building programs;
● Support the establishment and development of student organizations in Kazakhstan working on climate change, environmental protection, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
● Raise young people’s awareness of international climate negotiations, with particular focus on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye;
● Promote intergenerational cooperation among young people, civil society organizations, and government agencies on climate action and climate change adaptation.
«LCOY is a global youth process that is currently taking place in almost 100 countries under the auspices of the youth constituency of the UNFCCC. It is a process based on the ‘youth for youth’ principle and is fully organized by young people themselves. I am glad that Kazakhstan is actively participating in this global movement and demonstrating some of the strongest results in Central Asia. Last year, we managed to bring together around 50 young people from different regions of the country; this year, the number was slightly lower. It is important for us that LCOY remains an open platform for all interested young people, regardless of their region, experience, or level of engagement. We strive to use every available opportunity to create new prospects for participants to develop and implement their initiatives», – said Alimkhan Abulkhan, LCOY Kazakhstan Coordinator in 2025 and 2026.
«As a coordinator and a representative of the youth, it is very valuable for me to see participants come out of their shells, find like-minded people, and develop their ideas. For us, the main goal of LCOY is to create a platform where young people can gain not only new knowledge, but also an opportunity to influence Kazakhstan’s climate agenda with the energy and strength of the younger generation. For example, as part of LCOY, in cooperation with NDC Partnership Kazakhstan, a youth consultation on the Implementation Plan for Kazakhstan’s NDC 3.0 was held. As a result, young people’s recommendations will be taken into account at the official level», – added Balnur Baimagambet, LCOY Kazakhstan 2026 Coordinator.
Over the course of the two-day conference, participants took part in one high-level session, five thematic sessions, and five practical workshops.
Outcomes of the conference:
● A National Youth Statement on Climate Change was prepared, reflecting the proposals of Kazakhstan’s youth on climate action and the implementation of NDC 3.0;
● A focus group with youth representatives was held as part of consultations on the Implementation Plan for Kazakhstan’s NDC 3.0;
● A platform for knowledge and experience sharing and capacity development was created, bringing together 80 young people from all regions of Kazakhstan;
● Six student organizations and youth projects in Kazakhstan working or planning to work in the fields of climate change, environmental protection, and the SDGs were supported.
