Panel Session: "COP30 and the Future of Climate Finance"

On May 30, 2025, as part of the Astana International Forum, a panel session titled "COP30 and the Future of Global Climate Action" will take place, focusing on Central Asia’s role in the climate agenda and mechanisms for sustainable finance. The event is organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Regional Climate and Green Energy Project Office for Central Asia.

Key Themes of the Session

This session marks an important step in the region’s preparation for COP30 (November 2025, Belém, Brazil) and the 2026 Regional Climate Summit in Astana. The primary focus will be on climate finance and practical measures to attract investment in sustainable development. The event will also serve as a shared platform to discuss Central Asia’s participation in the Baku–Belém Roadmap aimed at mobilizing $1.3 trillion in climate finance.

Key discussion points will include:

• How do Central Asian countries assess progress and gaps in implementing climate policies ten years after the Paris Agreement?
• What investment opportunities and successful practices could shape a common regional vision for climate finance at COP30, the Regional Climate Summit, and beyond?
• What steps are needed to strengthen climate policy to attract investments in clean energy and resilience in the region?

A keynote address is expected from Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on climate issues, who will share outcomes from COP29 and perspectives for COP30, particularly within the “COP Troika” partnership.

The discussion will also feature representatives from Central Asian ministries of finance, the World Bank, international agencies, and the private sector.

Central Asia: A Climate-Vulnerable Region

Central Asia is among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. Achieving ambitious climate goals requires a clear financing strategy, including the development of green energy, adaptation of the water and agricultural sectors, and support for socially vulnerable groups.