SDSN Kazakhstan Joins the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan
On April 22 - 24, 2026, the SDSN Kazakhstan participated in the Regional Ecological Summit 2026, held in Astana. The Summit marked a significant milestone in advancing environmental cooperation across Central Asia and beyond. The Summit was first conceptualized by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023, reflecting Kazakhstan’s growing leadership in promoting regional sustainability.
Held under the theme “A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future,” the Summit was organized by Kazakhstan in partnership with the United Nations and a broad coalition of international partners. Its primary objective was to develop practical policy tools for protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems, water, and land resources, while strengthening biodiversity conservation across the region.
Throughout the Summit, SDSN Kazakhstan joined the high-level meetings and thematic sessions, engaging in substantive discussions and contributing to the exchange of perspectives among the invited participants.
Featuring a comprehensive program, including 58 sessions, 21 high-level discussions and four dedicated country sessions for Central Asian states, the agenda addressed key priorities, such as climate transition and adaptation, economic resilience to environmental risks, food security, sustainable natural resource management, air pollution reduction, and improved waste management, and mechanisms to deliver environmental commitments.
The plenary session convened several high-level officials and representatives from key international and regional organizations. These included heads of state from Central Asian countries, alongside leaders and high-level representatives from Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia, and Azerbaijan, as well as senior officials from the United Nations, The European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Organization of Turkic States.
A key outcome of the Summit was the adoption of the Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia, “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia.” The declaration reaffirms the region’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and developing joint positions within multilateral environmental processes, including biodiversity conservation, chemicals and waste management, air quality improvement, and combating land degradation and desertification. It also reflects Kazakhstan’s key priorities, which include establishing an International Water Organization under the UN and an International Fund for the Protection of Rare Species and Biodiversity, as well as developing the Intergovernmental Programme for the conservation of water resources of the Caspian Sea, and advancing cooperation on green energy.
The Programme of Action for 2026–2030, developed in partnership with the United Nations, was also endorsed. It includes a Regional Investment Portfolio for Ecology and Climate, a Regional Environmental Performance Review, a framework on nature-based solutions, a circular economy partnership program, and the “Green School” regional platform, forming a concrete roadmap for coordinated regional action over the next five years.
Several practical agreements were adopted throughout the Summit. This included the Regional Declaration on Biodiversity Conservation, reaffirming Central Asian countries’ commitment to ecosystem protection, restoration of natural areas, and the development of ecological corridors. The “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative was also launched to create protective forest belts and combat land degradation and dust storms.
Further progress was made in chemicals and waste management, with high-level participation from the secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. A proposal was also introduced to establish a Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Kazakhstan, strengthening regional capacity in chemical safety and environmental monitoring.
A significant outcome in the health and environment nexus was the signing of a joint declaration with the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, focusing on the implementation of the roadmap “A Healthy Future in the Aral Sea Region” and promoting the “One Health” approach.
The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and collective action in addressing environmental challenges, reinforcing a shared commitment to a more sustainable and resilient future. Moving forward, SDSN Kazakhstan remains committed to translating these agreements and discussions into action, supporting member institutions, policy engagement, and capacity-building efforts with the sustainability commitments endorsed at the Summit.
Photo and information credit: RES webpage
https://res2026.kz/
