Distinguished Guests,

Dear Minister Czarigeldi Babanijazow, 

Dear executive director Zafar Makhmudov,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to speak to you at the opening of the 7th Central Asia Climate Change Conference.

Let me begin by sincerely thanking the Turkmen government and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) for organising this important event. 

Since 2018, CAREC has played a vital role in facilitating regional dialogue on climate change, serving as a trusted platform that unites policymakers, scientists, civil society, and development partners across Central Asia. CAREC’s efforts continue to empower regional cooperation, and the European Union is proud to support this work since its launch.

The theme of this year’s conference – “Achieving the Global Climate Finance Goal through Regional and National Actions in Central Asia” – could not be more timely or relevant. Following the outcomes of COP29 and in the run-up to COP30, we are all reminded of the urgency of translating ambition into action. The decisions we make now will shape the climate resilience and sustainable prosperity of the region for generations to come.

Not that many experts and media in the world talk about it, as they focus very often on consequences of climate change in many other countries and regions, but it is Central Asia that faces exceptional vulnerability to the impacts of climate change: water stress, desertification, glacial melt, and increasing risks to agriculture, energy, and livelihoods. 

Recent studies show that temperatures here are rising faster than the global average. The consequences are not abstract – they are already affecting lives and ecosystems. And this makes our collective efforts in the region even more critical.

Beyond the direct environmental and economic consequences, it is crucial to recognise the growing nexus between climate change and security, a matter of increasing international concern reflected in consequent UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. Here, in Central Asia, the impacts of climate change can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and potentially contribute to instability. Water scarcity, climate-induced migration and environmental degradation can create further social and economic pressures. 

Addressing climate change proactively through regional cooperation and sustainable development is therefore not only an environmental imperative but also a vital investment in the long-term peace and security of Central Asia.

In Europe, which is equally hit by climate change and the rise of temperatures, we have made the Green Deal our blueprint for a sustainable, climate-neutral economy. With legally binding commitments to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU is working to transform how we produce, consume, and grow. Just a few months ago, we adopted the Clean Industrial Deal, mobilising over EUR 100 billion to drive clean energy, circular economy, and green innovation.

But we know we cannot do this alone. Climate change is a global challenge that requires global cooperation. 

That’s why the EU is proud to partner with Central Asian countries through many initiatives, programs and projects. My colleague Johannes Baur will speak more in details about it during the first session and our colleagues implementing EU projects during following consecutive sessions. But let me just underline our few activities and achievements.

We are proud to work with Central Asia within our Water-Energy-Climate Team Europe Initiative. Together with EU Member States and regional partners, we are supporting climate adaptation, water governance, and the energy transition – including through regional energy cooperation that enables better integration of renewables. With the announcement of more than EUR 6 billion investments in the water and energy sector at the EU-Central Asia summit in April in Samarkand, the EU confirms its role as leading supporter of the green transition in Central Asia.

A key enabler of climate action is climate finance. Mobilising sufficient and accessible funding is crucial – and we fully support the goals of CACCC 2025 in promoting innovative financing models, aligning fiscal policies with climate goals, and building strong regional partnerships. 

Without the efforts of the countries including in this region this will not be possible. We look forward to seeing ambitious proposals that move us closer to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and support the third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) across Central Asia. 

Further efforts also need to be done in the area of methane emission reduction, where Central Asia has been a significant emitter. We welcome that Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have joined the Global Methane Pledge.

In this context, I am proud to highlight the European Union’s close cooperation with Turkmenistan through the bilateral project “EU for a green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2028”, funded in cooperation with the German government and implemented by GIZ. This project is not only advancing strategic policy dialogue and peer learning.  It is also bringing concrete results on the ground – from launching pilot actions in renewable energy and methane emissions reduction, to supporting institutional capacity building and public outreach. The installation of leak detection and repair (LDAR) technologies is just one example of innovation in action – adapted to the local context and aligned with Turkmenistan’s environmental goals. These are more than technical achievements; they are building blocks of a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Dear colleagues,

Let me conclude by reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to working hand in hand with our Central Asian partners. We believe in the region’s potential to become a leader in sustainable, climate-resilient development. Together, through collaboration, innovation, and shared ambition, we can build a greener, safer, and more prosperous future for all.

I wish you a productive and inspiring conference.

Thank you.

13 May 2025