This initiative was announced by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023.
From April 22 to 24, 2026, a Regional Environmental Summit will take place in Astana, expecting approximately 1,500 participants, including representatives from government bodies, international organizations, business, the scientific community, and civil society. According to The Astana Times, the summit will focus on developing solutions to climate and environmental issues in collaboration with the UN.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev first announced the initiative to hold the summit at the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023, and its significance was reaffirmed at the 80th session in 2025.
The 2026 Regional Environmental Summit is supported by international partners such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Energy Agency, as well as other global and regional institutions. The UN officially endorsed this initiative in resolution 78/147 on December 19, 2023, emphasizing the need for regional solidarity to address environmental issues in Central Asia.
Political support for the summit was further expressed in several multilateral documents, such as the Karabakh Declaration of the informal summit of the Turkic States Organization in July 2024 and the joint statement from the sixth consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia in August 2024, as well as the Bishkek Declaration of the eleventh CSTO summit in November 2024.
In 2025, at the Astana International Forum, attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Regional UN Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan was inaugurated, which also drew attention to this initiative.
The main goal of the summit is to create coordinated solutions that reflect regional approaches to environmental and climate challenges. Key issues will include the tragedy of the Aral Sea and the ongoing decline of the Caspian Sea level.
Key agenda points of the summit include identifying Central Asia's needs for green financing, supporting climate change adaptation, and developing low-carbon technologies. The summit will also serve as a platform for dialogue between governments, international organizations, scientific institutions, and businesses.
One expected outcome of RES 2026 is a joint declaration by the heads of state of Central Asia dedicated to environmental cooperation, as well as the approval of a Regional Action Program for 2026-2030. This program will aim to implement the summit's initiatives and launch new environmental projects.
The summit's themes cover eight interrelated areas, such as supporting the climate transition, adapting to climate risks, food security, and sustainable management of natural resources, including the water systems of the Aral and Caspian Seas.
Issues related to air pollution control, waste management using circular economy principles, and mechanisms for achieving environmental goals through green financing and market instruments will also be in focus. An important aspect will be job creation, retraining, gender equality, and support for vulnerable populations, as well as the development of environmental and digital competencies.
Photo www
