Representatives of governments, experts, and international organizations will gather for the forum
From April 22 to 24, 2026, the Regional Environmental Summit (RES) will take place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. This was announced by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
It is expected that around 1500 participants will attend the event, including representatives of government bodies from the region's countries, international organizations, businesses, as well as members of civil society and experts.
During the plenary session, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Mongolia, and other high-profile guests will speak.
The goal of the forum is to develop joint solutions to combat climate and environmental issues in partnership with the United Nations.
The initiative to hold the summit was announced by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023, and it was confirmed at the 80th session in 2025.
Key partners supporting RES 2026 include the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the International Energy Agency (IEA), as well as other international and regional institutions.
The UN officially confirmed its support for this initiative through General Assembly resolution 78/147 on December 19, 2023, which emphasizes the need to strengthen regional solidarity to address the environmental challenges of Central Asia.
The summit will focus on developing specific and practical solutions that take into account the regional context of climate and environmental challenges, such as the ecological disaster of the Aral Sea and the ongoing decline in the Caspian Sea level.
The main priorities of the forum include identifying the real needs of Central Asia in green financing, supporting adaptation measures, developing low-carbon technologies, and enhancing the ecological resilience of the region.
At the summit, a joint declaration of the heads of state of Central Asia dedicated to regional cooperation in ecology and sustainable development is expected to be adopted.
A regional action program for 2026–2030 will also be approved with the participation of UN agencies to ensure a sustainable future for Central Asia.
In addition, the launch of new environmental initiatives and projects aimed at key aspects of the summit's work is anticipated.
