Experts and Policy Makers Discuss Climate Change in Central Asia: Science and Policy

On 10 July 2024, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek organized its second roundtable on "Central Asia’s Readiness for Climate Change: Science and Policy” as part of the Jean Monnet Module - European Climate Policy project funded by the European Union. Representatives from the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, non-profit organizations, international organizations, and universities in Central Asia took part in the event.

Dr. Pal Dunay, Interim Director of the OSCE Academy, welcomed the participants of the roundtable, underlining the importance of discussing climate change in Central Asia, which is one of the main research areas of the OSCE Academy currently. Mr. Stefano Corrado, Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, noted that the European Union stands at the forefront in the international arena and actively promotes effective and sustainable policies to tackle climate change collectively. Following the welcome remarks, Dr. Rahat Sabyrbekov, Coordinator of the Jean Monnet Module project and Postdoctoral Research Fellow of the OSCE Academy, presented the aim and objectives of the event.

During the first part of the round table Ambassador Willy Kempel, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe; Ms. Aida Duishenbieva, Chief Specialist of the Climate Policy Department, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic; Ms. Begim Zhanuzakova, Coordinator of the Climate Change Programme, Unison Group; Dr. Rysbek Satylkanov, Institute of Water Problems and Energy, Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Dr. Rahat Sabyrbekov discussed climate change impact, the national climate strategies and action plans adopted by Central Asian countries, and how the issue of climate change has been covered in research in Central Asia in the past several years. During the discussion, participants exchanged their views on the development of research potential in the field of climate policy and the significance of consolidating research programmes in Central Asia to conduct joint scientific and educational events in the field of climate change.

The second part of the round table covered the practical projects and applied research. Dr. Paul Bertheau, Reiner Lemoine Institute, Germany; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suat Beylur, Director and Zhengizkhan Zhanaltay, Deputy Director, respectively of the Eurasian Research Institute in Kazakhstan; Dr. Iulii Didovets, Project Lead, Potsdam Institute for Climate Research, Germany; have covered the green hydrogen generation potential in the region, renewable energy in Kazakhstan, and the global perspective on climate change to regional impact. Mr. Talant Sultanov, Policy Advocacy Advisor, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership; Co-Founder, Internet Society Kyrgyz Chapter presented his project on low-cost weather stations in the mountainous areas of Kyrgyzstan, the challenges and opportunities they have.

Following the presentations, the participants noted a significant need for research on climate change in the region. They emphasized the necessity for capacity development among local scholars and called for increased international scientific cooperation both within and outside Central Asia. Additionally, participants expressed the view that an annual scientific conference on climate change in Central Asia should be organized.

In conclusion, Dr. Sabyrbekov summarized the results of the survey that we launched at the beginning of the event with the aim to help identify the opportunities and limitations for conducting research in the field of climate policy and create a list of research areas needed by decision-makers.

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