Regional Ecological Summit 2026: Key Outcomes
The Regional Ecological Summit has concluded in Astana, bringing together heads of state, public figures, policymakers, and researchers to address environmental issues and sustainable development in Central Asia.
From 22 to 24 April, a total of 58 key sessions were held on the sidelines of the Summit, including 21 high-level sessions and 4 country sessions of Central Asian states, with more than 8,000 recorded visits over the three days.
The Summit’s Plenary Session featured addresses by the Presidents of Central Asian nations, Armenia, Georgia, and Mongolia, as well as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Representing the United Nations were Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Mr Li Junhua; Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Ms Inger Andersen; and Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UNECE Ms Tatiana Molcean.
Participants included heads of environmental authorities from Central Asian countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Belarus, Türkiye, Italy, China, Cambodia, Serbia, Mongolia, Croatia, Japan, Afghanistan, the Russian Federation and others, as well as representatives from the sectors of water management, healthcare, agriculture, energy, education, and finance from Central Asia and beyond.
Representatives of international organizations such as OSCE, the EU, ECO, ICESCO, SCO, the Organization of Turkic States, CICA, IOFS, ADB, EBRD, WB, the Green Climate Fund, IDB, as well as the secretariats of international conventions and agreements on desertification, biodiversity, chemicals, and waste, took part in discussions and sessions.
The key outcome of RES 2026 was the adoption of the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia, “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia.” The heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts to develop joint regional positions and solutions within multilateral environmental processes, including negotiations on biodiversity, chemicals management, waste and plastic pollution, air quality improvement, land degradation and desertification, as well as to promote a consolidated position of Central Asian countries on key international platforms.
The Declaration also reflects the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish an International Water Organization under the UN.
In addition, the Declaration supports Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an International Fund for the Protection of Rare Species and Biodiversity, to develop the Intergovernmental Programme for the conservation of water resources of the Caspian Sea, to designate an International Day of Greening the Planet, and to advance cooperation through the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy.
The Programme of Action for the implementation of regional environmental initiatives in partnership with the United Nations for 2026-2030 was also endorsed. The Programme includes a Regional Investment Portfolio for Ecology and Climate, a Regional Environmental Performance Review, a Framework Document on Nature-based Solutions, a Partnership Framework Programme on Circular Economy, and the “Green School” Regional Platform.
These initiatives were presented during the Summit sessions with the participation of strategic partners, thereby forming a concrete joint action plan between Kazakhstan and countries of the region with the UN system for the next five years. This has laid a solid foundation for the consistent implementation of the agreements reached, confirming the long-term institutional and practical continuation of the Summit’s agenda.
A number of investment agreements and memoranda on strategic partnership were adopted at the Summit.
A Framework Agreement on Strategic Cooperation was concluded between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Environment Programme, under which a Regional Environmental Hub will be established in Almaty on the basis of the UNEP Subregional Office for Central Asia.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the establishment of the Kazakhstan’s Country Investment Platform for the Energy Transition “QaJET” between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. By 2035, it is planned to commission at least 10 GW of renewable energy capacity, attract approximately USD 20 billion in investment, and reduce emissions by more than 20 million tonnes annually.
During the first days of the RES 2026 EXPO green technology exhibition, 17 agreements worth over USD 2.3 billion were also signed. The bulk of investments is directed towards renewable energy development, waste management, industrial decarbonization projects, and fertilizer production.
At Kazakhstan’s initiative, a consultation process was launched on the sidelines of the Summit on the establishment of an International Water Organization. A consolidated report will be prepared following the consultations, which will serve as guidance for subsequent rounds of negotiations aimed at achieving concrete outcomes at the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in December 2026.
A significant contribution to strengthening the water agenda was provided by a high-level interparliamentary dialogue. With the participation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the preparation of a joint Action Plan between the parliaments of Central Asian countries and the OSCE PA was initiated, aimed at enhancing cooperation on water resource management, harmonizing legislation, and promoting effective mechanisms for transboundary cooperation.
The Summit sessions were held across eight key thematic areas.
As a result of the thematic sessions, a number of practical agreements were reached. Central Asian countries signed a Regional Declaration on Biodiversity Conservation, reaffirming their readiness for joint protection of ecosystems and rare species, restoration of natural areas, and the development of ecological corridors in Central Asia.
At Kazakhstan’s initiative, the “Green Shield of Central Asia” resolution was signed, establishing a regional system of protective forest belts and green barriers against land degradation and dust storms, and identifying sites for afforestation.
The participation of the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions at a high level added special significance to issues related to chemicals management and hazardous waste. A proposal was put forward to establish a Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Kazakhstan, which will be an important step in strengthening the institutional capacity of Central Asia in chemical safety management, including the establishment of relevant laboratories and the fulfilment of international obligations.
The parties also agreed to develop a Roadmap to accelerate the resilience of the agricultural sector and to apply the synergies of the Rio Conventions in practice, with the participation of FAO, IOFS, and international partners. The initiative is aimed at adapting the agricultural sector to climate change, combating land degradation, desertification, and biodiversity loss.
At Kazakhstan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
Following a thematic session of the Summit, the agreements “Caspian Sea Action Week 2026” and “Green Aral: Volunteers for Life” were signed, aimed at boosting citizen engagement in environmental volunteering and advancing joint actions to address pressing issues in the Caspian and Aral regions. A youth dialogue was also held with participants from all Central Asian countries, who prepared a Joint Statement addressed to Summit participants on its key thematic areas.
A significant outcome in the social sphere was the signing of a joint declaration between Central Asian countries and the WHO Regional Office for Europe on the implementation of the Roadmap “A Healthy Future in the Aral Sea Region,” as well as a number of memoranda on the development of joint research, monitoring, and the implementation of the “One Health” approach, which integrates environmental, public health, and sustainable development considerations.
The RES 2026 EXPO international green technology exhibition brought together countries of the region and partners to ensure an effective transition from policy declarations to action.
Across 120 pavilions, 247 companies from 30 countries showcased their achievements, providing direct G2B networking opportunities for around 20,000 visitors.
Overall, the agreements reached confirm that the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana has become not only a platform for dialogue, but also a point of consolidation of efforts, the launch of practical initiatives, and the formation of a unified, forward-looking environmental agenda for Central Asia.
