Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC 2026)

Dr Batyr Mammedov

Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) 

Batyr Mammedov is a hydraulic engineer by his background. He graduated with honors from the Department of Hydrometeorology at the Turkmen Agricultural University in 1986. 

He began his career at the Ministry of Water Resources of Turkmenistan and, from 1988 to 1991, completed full-time graduate studies at the Institute of Deserts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. In 1994, he defended his PhD dissertation in "Environmental Protection and Rational Use of Natural Resources" and "Land Reclamation and Irrigated Agriculture." 

Since 1998, he has worked at the National Institute of Deserts, Flora, and Fauna of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan. He rose through the ranks in science from junior researcher to laboratory head and has published over 100 scientific publications on various aspects of natural resource conservation in Central Asia. 

In 2015, he was transferred to the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (ICSD IFAS) as the Head of the ICSD Secretariat. Since 2025, he has been elected and working as Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).

Yerlan Nuraliyevich Nyssanbayev is the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, and a professional with extensive experience in forestry, ecology, agricultural policy, and public administration. He graduated from the Kazakh Agricultural Institute and Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, with qualifications in forestry engineering and finance.

He began his professional career in 1983 in the forestry sector of Almaty Region. Over the years, he has held responsible positions in party and public administration structures, worked in the commercial sector, led Astana-Zelenstroy JSC, chaired the Forestry and Wildlife Committee, and served as Deputy Minister in several профильных state bodies. In September 2023, by Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, he was appointed Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. He has been awarded the Parasat and Kurmet orders

Akyl Toktobaevich Toktobaev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

He has extensive experience in mining, energy, and public administration, including serving as head of the state enterprise Kyrgyzgeology. Over the years, he has held senior positions in the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use, as well as in the companies Kyrgyzaltyn, Eti Bakyr Tereksai, and Altynken.

He graduated from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University with a degree in World Economy and from the Kyrgyz State Law Academy, where he earned a Master’s degree in Law.

Sheralizoda Bahodur Ahmadjon

Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

Mr. Sheralizoda Bahodur Ahmadjon

Tajik by nationality, Mr. Sheralizoda was born on 25 November 1984 in Tajikistan.

In 2007 he graduated from the Tajik Technical University;

In 2011 he graduated from the University of Kassel, Germany.

From 2016 to the present, he is an applicant for the Tajik National University and the International Center for European Education (Centre International de Formation Européenne — CIFE).

Thesis: Paris Climate Agreement: Commitments and Opportunities for Tajikistan.

Degree obtained: 1) Electrical Engineer, 2) MSc – International Political Economics

 Language proficiency: English, German and Russian

Professional experience:

2006 – 2007  –  Translator/Interpreter, CARE International in Tajikistan

2007 – 2008 – Administrative Assistant, CARE International in Tajikistan

2012 – 2013 – Office Manager on Public Relations, ACT Central Asia

2012 – 2017 – Lecturer at Russian-Tajik Slavonic University, Technological University of Tajikistan, Tajik National University

2013-2014 – Communications Manager, British Embassy in Tajikistan

2014 – 2015 – Specialist, Climate Change and Ozone Center, Agency for Hydrometeorology/Pilot Programme on Climate Resilience (Asian Development Bank)

2015 – 2016 – Consultant on Inclusive Business, Asian Development Bank cooperatively with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan

2015 – 2018 – Advisor on Climate Finance Readiness, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) / Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

2017 – 2019 – Consultant of the Women in Business Programme, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

04-11, 2018 – Manager on evaluation and training for HPP Qairakkum Modernization and Climadapt projects, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development / Climate Investment Fund

2018 – 2019 Consultant on Energy Transition, Agora Energiewende/Alexander von Humboldt, Berlin, Germany

04-08, 2019 – Consultant on Developing capacities of the Republic of Serbia, Montenegro and other Western Balkan countries for Effective cooperation with the Green Climate Fund, UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) 

08-12, 2019 – Consultant, Program of Evaluation of Central Asian Portfolio and Advanced Technologies of the UK Department for International Development (DFID)

11.2019- 02.2020 Consultant on effective cooperation with the Green Climate Fund and climate fundraising, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in the Republic of Botswana.

14.02.2020 till present  Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. 

Ovezgeldi Amanberdiyevich GOSHDZHANOV

Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan 

Mr. Goshdzhanov was born in 1975 in the town of Bereket, Balkan Province. In 1998, he graduated from the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering majoring in construction management. 

Work experience:

·     August 1998 - September 2000: Specialist of the Western Water Management Enterprise under the Balkansuwgurluşyk Production Association;

·     September 2000 - January 2001: Specialist in the Bereket Etrap (territorial and administrative unit) Hyakimlik (local executive body) of Balkan Velayat (province);

·     January 2001 - September 2002: Chief Specialist of the Plant Protection Department of Bereket Etrap of Balkan Velayat;

·     September 2002 - April 2004: Shift Supervisor of the Stone Crushing Department of the Non-Metallic Construction Materials Plant of Turkmenbashi Etrap of Balkan Velayat;

·     April 2004 - October 2004: Senior Mechanic of the same department;

·     October 2004 - January 2005: Head of the Agyzsuw Association of Turkmenbashi Etrap of Balkan Velayat;

·     January 2005 - February 2014: Head of the Housing and Communal Services Department of Turkmenbashi Etrap of the Housing and Communal Services Association of Balkan Velayat;

·     February 2014 - March 2015: Acting Chairperson of the Housing and Communal Services Association of Balkan Velayat;

·     March 2015 - April 2018: Chairperson of the same association;

·     April 2018 - June 2018: Head of the Industrial and Construction, Housing and Communal Services Coordination Department of Turkmenbashi City Hyakimlik of Balkan Velayat;

·     June 2018 - August 2018: Head of the Gardening Department of Balkanabat City of the Housing and Communal Services Association of Balkan Velayat;

·     August 2018 - September 2024: Acting Chairperson and later Chairperson of the Housing and Public Utilities Association of Balkan Velayat Hyakimlik;

·     September 2024 - February 2025: Mayor of Balkanabat City of Balkan Velayat;

·     February 2025 - February 2026: Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues – Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change

Aziz Abdukhakimov was born on June 17, 1974, in Tashkent. He graduated from the Tashkent State University of Economics with a degree in Economics and also obtained a Master’s degree from Hitotsubashi University.

He has extensive professional experience in both the banking sector and public administration, including work at the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan and several commercial banks. Over the years, he has held a number of senior positions in government, including Chairman of the State Committee for State Property Management and Chairman of the State Committee for Privatization, Demonopolization and Development of Competition.

From 2014 to 2017, he served as Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. In subsequent years, he held the positions of Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as Minister of Tourism and Sports and Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage.

In 2023, he served as Minister of Natural Resources, and since 2026, he has been serving as Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues – Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

Valerie Hickey is the Director for Environment at the World Bank Group.

In this role, she leads a global team that leverages data, knowledge, and partnerships to ensure that the WBG’s public and private sector investments in nature, natural resource management, pollution management, and the circular economy generate more and better jobs, in more places, putting another nail in the coffin of poverty. This work centers on scaling proven solutions to achieve greater impact and to build a better future for communities, companies, and countries.

Prior to that she was the Global Director for Climate Change and the Global Director for Environment at the World Bank following a decade managing the World Bank’s public sector portfolios on climate and environment in Latin America and in Europe and Central Asia. In those roles she managed cross-sectoral teams that invested in countries and communities on issues related to climate change, sustainable forest management, integrated conservation and development, integrated coastal zone management, fisheries and aquaculture, pollution management and environmental health, environmental economics and environmental risk management.

Valerie focuses on solving problems and deploying the World Bank Group’s capital, convening services and analytical powers to unlock healthy nature as an engine of jobs and GDP, ensure healthy environments set communities, companies, cities and whole countries up to succeed, and build green, inclusive and resilient economies. Before joining the World Bank, Valerie worked for World Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the US National Park Service where she worked on invasive species programs in Lake Mead, the reservoir to the Hoover Dam. Valerie holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University.

Moderator of the Session "Economic Dimensions of Water–Energy Cooperation in Central Asia under Climate Change"

Dmitry Petrin, Senior operations officer, World Bank Central Asia Regional office. 

Graduated from Moscow State University in 1993, Economics department, major in International Economics. Joined the World Bank Moscow office in 1993 as operations officer, contributed to preparation and implementation support of the first World Bank projects in the Russian Federation in the human development area. From 1995 till 2022 worked in different project implementation units for World Bank, EBRD, EU, DFID, New Development Bank projects, mostly as Deputy General Director, Foundation for Enterprise Restructuring (FER). As the largest project implementation unit in Russia supported implementation of 14 development projects with a total value of $2.6 billion.  Being responsible for interaction with counterparts coordinated projects’ implementation with donors and government entities (the total of 12 federal agencies and 39 regional authorities). In July 2022 rejoined the World Bank as Senior Operations Officer in World Bank Central Asia Regional Office, Almaty, Kazakhstan. At the current position is responsible for coordination of regional engagement agenda of the World Bank in Central Asia, development and update of the Regional Engagement Framework for Central Asia (REFCA), operational support and policy guidance in connection with the preparation, approval, implementation, and evaluation of operational products and analytical works at regional and cross-regional levels. Serve as focal point to coordinate the Bank's high-level dialogue with other regional entities (e.g., other IFIs, CAREC, etc), internal and external parties (e.g., cooperation agencies and other international organizations) and monitor other regional engagements e.g., EU CA Strategy, China Belt and Road, US CA Strategy etc. From 2023 Dmitry is managing the 4^th stage of the Central Asia Water and Energy program (CAWEP-4), the Multi-donor Trust Fund oriented on enhancing cooperation in the region through better management of water and energy resources in the changing climate. 

Session «Opening of CACCC-2026. "NDC 3.0: From Commitments to Action”

Session «Integrating Climate Risk Management into Strategic Planning in Central Asian Countries» 

Professor Sir Jim Skea was elected IPCC Chair for the Seventh Assessment cycle in July 2023. He was Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III for the 6th Assessment Cycle. From 2009 to 2023, Jim Skea was Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London. His research interests are in energy, climate change and technological innovation. He was Research Director of the UK Energy Research Centre 2004-12 and Director of the Policy Studies Institute 1998-2004. He has operated at the interface between research, policy-making and business throughout his career. He was a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change from its inception in 2008 until 2018, and was the Chair of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission from 2018 to 2023. From 2015-17, he was President of the UK Energy Institute. He was awarded a CBE for services to sustainable energy in 2013 and an OBE for services to sustainable transport in 2004. In 2024, Jim Skea was awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list for services to global leadership in climate science.

Jamoliddin Abdullo Abdullozoda is a senior government official and a highly qualified surgeon who has been serving as the Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan since 2020. He holds a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree, is a professor, and has authored more than 350 scientific publications and monographs.

Dr. Abdullozoda brings extensive experience in the strategic governance of the healthcare system, encompassing the modernization of medical infrastructure, the strengthening of human resources capacity, and the introduction of advanced clinical practices. He effectively integrates clinical expertise with academic scholarship and public sector leadership, making a significant contribution to enhancing the quality, accessibility, and equity of healthcare services nationwide.

Under his leadership, comprehensive reforms are being implemented to reinforce the public health system, promote digital transformation across the sector, and expand preventive and community-based health programs. He places strong emphasis on sustainable sector development, the advancement of international partnerships, and the adoption of innovative medical technologies, thereby contributing to the increased efficiency, resilience, and long-term sustainability of the national healthcare system.

Asel Raimkulova, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic

Asel Raimkulova has over 27 years of experience in the field of environmental protection and ecology. Since the establishment of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, she has held several key leadership positions: from 2021 to 2022, she headed the Department for Water Resources Protection, and from 2022 to 2023, she led the Department of State Environmental Expertise. Since August 2023, she has been serving as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Mansur Oshurbayev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Mansur Oshurbayev was born in 1988 in the city of Semey. He graduated from Satbayev Kazakh National Technical University and Turan-Astana University.

He began his professional career in 2010 as a lead specialist in the Environmental Regulation Department of the Yesil District Environmental Department under the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2012 to 2016, he served as a specialist, head of department, and deputy head of environmental regulation in the Yesil District Environmental Department.

From 2016 to 2017, he was Deputy Head of the Ecology Department for the Aktobe Region under the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Energy.

From 2017 to 2019, he served as Head of the Ecology Department for the city of Astana.

Since 2019, he has served as Director of the Department of State Policy on Waste Management at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He currently holds the position of Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Mr. Talgat Momyshev is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He was born in 1968 in the Akmola region. He graduated from the Zhambyl Hydro-Melioration and Construction Institute and the Almaty Institute of Economics and Statistics.

He has over 30 years of professional experience in public administration, technical regulation, ecology, and water resources management. Over the course of his career, he has held senior positions in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Energy, and the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He also served as Deputy Akim of the Zhambyl region and as Vice Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources.

Prior to his current appointment, he served as Director of the Department of Technical Regulation and Accreditation of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

In 2025, he was appointed Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan by a resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Azat Ataev

Born in 1989 in Ashgabat. In 2012, he graduated with honors from the Turkmen State Institute of Transport and Communications with a degree in Automation of Technological Processes and Production. Candidate of Technical Sciences. Author of more than 100 publications in the field of ensuring the reliability of telecommunications equipment, simulation modeling for predicting the reliability of electronic equipment, designing telecommunications infrastructure for the digitalization of the education system. He is working on a doctoral dissertation in engineering in the field of developing ICT infrastructure for analytical education systems.

From 2012 to 2018, worked as a teacher, senior lecturer, head of the department of the Turkmen State Institute of Transport and Communications.

Since January 2018, Vice-Rector for Science at Oguz Khan University of Engineering Technologies.

Since June 2019, Vice-Rector for Science at the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan.

In 2017, he was elected to the position of Chairman of the Center of Young Scientists at the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the Central Council of the Magtymguly Youth Organization of Turkmenistan, and he voluntarily led the council until 2023.

In October 2020, was appointed Deputy Minister of Education, oversees issues of higher and secondary vocational education, youth policy, digitalization, licensing, accreditation and international relations.

Ahmadzoda Bahromjon Rajab

Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the

Republic of Tajikistan

Date of Birth: November 7, 1975

Place of Birth: Republic of Tajikistan

Academic Degree and Title:
Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor

Education:
1998 – Graduated from the Tajik Agrarian University (full-time)
2013 – Graduated from the Tajik Agrarian University named after Shirinshoh Shotemur (part-time)

State Awards:
Ismoili Somoni Award (2010)
Medal “Meritorious Service” – awarded by Decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan dated July 14, 2020, No. 1571

Professional Experience:

1993–1998 – Student, Tajik Agrarian University named after Shirinshoh Shotemur
1998–2003 – Assistant, Department of Theoretical Mechanics and Engineering Graphics, Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization
2000–2003 – Postgraduate Student, Tajik Agrarian University named after Shirinshoh Shotemur
2003–2008 – Senior Lecturer, same department
2008–2018 – Associate Professor, same department
2001–2009 – Deputy Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization
2009–2019 – Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization
2018–2019 – Professor, Department of Agricultural Machinery and Mechanization of Processing
2019–2022 – Deputy Rector for Science and Innovation, Tajik Agrarian University named after Sh. Shotemur
2022–2025 – Deputy Rector for Science and Innovation, Khorog State University named after M. Nazarshoev

Since May 28, 2025 – Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan

Dilovarsho Dustzoda, 

Advisor to Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)

Before this appointment, he served as the CAREC Programme Manager for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (2023-2025), Head of the International Relations and Environmental Conventions Department of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (2021-2023), Director of the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Republic of Tajikistan (2020-2021), Director of the National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center (2019-2021). From 2003 to 2019, he had senior positions in the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Since 2001, Dilovarsho Dustzoda has held management positions on several projects for international organizations (UNDP, World Bank, WWF, UNEP, GIZ), where he supervised projects on environmental protection, biodiversity, biosafety, protected areas, genetic resources, and climate change.

He served as the National Focal Point for the UNFCCC and as the permanent representative of Tajikistan to the WMO. As a member of the COP/MOP UNCBD Bureau and several committees under these conventions, he has represented the Central and Eastern Europe region.

Dilovarsho Dustzoda holds an International Relations Master's Degree from the Tajik State National University; he is fluent in English, Russian, Turkish, and Tajik languages.

Dr. Kauazov is the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Program Manager and the Coordinator of the Central Asian Climate Information Portal (CACIP) at the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia. He has over twenty years of experience in climate change research, water resources, adaptation, space-based environmental monitoring and software development, with a particular focus on drought, climate change adaptation, snow cover and satellite monitoring. 

Dr. Kauazov's work experience includes working at the National Center for Space Research and Technology as Deputy Director of the Department of Remote Sensing of the Earth, the National Hydrometeorological Service Kazhydromet as the Head of the Department of Meteorological Research, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kazakhstan as an expert on adaptation to climate change and water resources management. Dr. Kauazov has been involved in a large number of projects on a wide range of issues related to climate change, water resources, droughts, emergency situations, satellite monitoring and web GIS. 

Dr. Kauazov holds a Ph.D. in Geographical Sciences in Hydrology (Postgraduate from the Space Research Institute, Kazakhstan, Almaty), an MSc in Ecology and a BSc in Meteorology from the Kazakh National University. 

He also completed internships and training courses at the University of Reading (UK), the Technical University of Berlin (Germany), the Korean Aerospace Institute (Daejeon), Spatial Dev (Seattle, USA), as well as a number of courses in Russia.

Lyudmila Kiktenko

Speaker at Session 3.2: The Fifth Meeting of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC)

Lyudmila Kiktenko holds a background in economics, management, and the economics of land degradation.

She is an expert in environmental protection and international development with over 24 years of experience. For the past 10 years, she has headed the Environmental Management Programme at the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).

Lyudmila specializes in the strategic planning and implementation of multi-partner development projects across Central Asia. She has extensive experience in facilitating multisectoral dialogues aimed at developing joint action plans and building portfolios of investment-attractive projects for sustainable development. Her core areas of expertise include the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus, circular economy, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Droughts.

As an author and co-author of several significant publications, Lyudmila’s work covers financing for multisectoral projects, barriers to implementing sustainable ecosystem management, gender aspects, and the economic benefits of ecosystem services.

Oxana Kravtsova is the Environment and Health Programme Manager at the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), where she leads the Regional One Health Programme. In this capacity, she coordinates cross-sectoral collaboration between health, agriculture, and environmental institutions to integrate ecosystem sustainability into regional policy.

With a professional background in finance, Oxana brings a strong analytical perspective to the development of climate-related projects across Central Asia.  She currently leads CAREC’s methane-related work, managing initiatives focused on emission reduction, technical capacity building, and the improvement of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems.

Her previous experience includes serving as a Climate Transparency Specialist, where she managed projects under the UNFCCC framework, specifically focusing on greenhouse gas inventories and reporting. Oxana has also contributed to projects related to the UNCCD and Nexus-based resource management. She remains committed to practical regional cooperation, helping Central Asian countries align their environmental efforts with global climate goals.

*Shamsuddinov Khurshed Shamsulloevich

* Has been working as the Head of the State Institution for Specially Protected Natural Areas of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, since November 2023.

*Date of birth 18^th of May 1981        *Place of birth Dangara district

*Nationality    Tajik                            *Education  High

* Graduated from the Tajik National State University in 2003 and from the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after S. Ayni in 2024.

* Specialty  Activities of International Law, Biology-chemistry,

* Scientific title N/A

* What foreign languages does he know Russian

*Member of local parliament or no  No

* Awarded with state awards or not   No

*Marital status   Married

*Address Dangara district, M. Tursunzoda Str., house 151

* Work and former activities:

Mr. Bakdaulet Amangeldinov, Chief Expert of the Forest Reproduction and Afforestation Department at the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He is a leading specialist in state control and the implementation of programs for forest restoration and the sustainable use of flora. Under his expert guidance, national afforestation initiatives are being implemented to combat desertification and increase forest cover in Kazakhstan. Bakdaulet Amangeldinov is a nominated member of the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) for the RESILAND CA+ project, representing Kazakhstan in the regional dialogue on landscape restoration and strengthening climate resilience in Central Asia.

Mr. Muhibullo Junaidzoda, Director of the Center for Implementation of Investment Projects under the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Mr. Junaidzoda is a leading expert in managing international investments in the fields of ecology and climate resilience. Under his leadership, the Center implements strategic programs for biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and natural landscape restoration. Muhibullo Junaidzoda is a nominated member of the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) for the RESILAND CA+ project, where he coordinates Tajikistan’s participation in regional initiatives to strengthen environmental security in Central Asia.

Session 2.1

Meghan Demeter, MARS Program Manager, International Methane Emissions Observatory, UNEP

Meghan is the MARS Program Manager for the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). She drives the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), a data-to-action satellite program that identifies and facilitates the mitigation of major global methane plumes, and oversees IMEO’s Government Relations. Ms. Demeter is an expert on the use of cutting-edge satellite technology to enhance environmental monitoring and accountability. Her focus is turning high-quality data into effective climate action.

“Methane is invisible, but its impact on our climate—and communities across Central Asia—is profound. IMEO’s Methane Alert and Response System exists to turn satellite data into action, giving governments and industries across the region the data they need to act on methane with confidence and precision.”

Session 2.1 Methane initiatives

James Turitto joined CATF in October 2020 to work on global methane emissions reduction by partnering with environmental organizations, civil society groups, media, industry, and government officials. Based in Nashville, TN, James works directly with governments to support regulatory policy in the oil and gas sector. While at CATF, James has led major, successful international advocacy campaigns and launched the Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme, a UN-sponsored program to support up to 20 countries on regulatory development. James has been quoted in news outlets around the world, including Reuters, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Boston Globe, the BBC, Die Zeit, Der Spiegel, La Repubblica, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and Climate Home News.

Prior to joining CATF, James worked as a Senior Research Manager at MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) from 2013 to 2020, where he led efforts to promote transparency in social science research and organized regular training on research methods in Kenya, India, and the U.S. for a global cadre of staff. He also served as a Senior Program Officer on a USAID-funded democracy and governance program in South Sudan from 2010 to 2013 for the International Republican Institute. James has a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Vermont.

Mr. Shukhrat Tadjibaev — Project Manager for the World Bank’s Resilient Landscape Restoration Project in Uzbekistan (RESILAND Uzbekistan).

He is an expert in international project management and sustainable development with extensive experience in both the public and international sectors. Prior, Shukhrat Tadjibaev held senior positions within the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, where he oversaw foreign investment attraction and the implementation of socio-economic development programs. Currently, he provides operational management for land restoration initiatives, coordinating interaction between government agencies and international financial institutions within the regional RESILAND CA+ program.

Mr. Muzafar Salomov — Coordinator of the World Bank's Resilient Landscape Restoration Project in Uzbekistan (RESILAND Uzbekistan).

He is a management expert with extensive experience in implementing large-scale investment programs. Prior to joining the RESILAND project, Muzafar Salomov held senior positions within the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan. His professional background includes overseeing foreign economic activities, attracting direct foreign investment, and engaging with international financial institutions. Currently, under his leadership, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) provides strategic coordination for national afforestation and land degradation neutrality initiatives, integrating them into the regional agenda of the RESILAND CA+ program

Mr. Shamammmet Sarykhanov, Head of the Forestry Department, Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan

Mr. Sarykhanov is a leading national expert in forest conservation, reforestation, and combating desertification. Under his leadership, the department implements national strategies for sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity protection in arid climates. Shamamment Sarykhanov is a nominated member of the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) for the RESILAND CA+ project, actively representing Turkmenistan in key international initiatives and regional projects aimed at landscape restoration and climate resilience in Central Asia.

Mr. Asferachew Abate Abebe is a Senior Environmental Specialist in the World Bank's Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy Global Practice. With deep expertise in sustainable land management and climate change mitigation, he oversees the design and implementation of strategic projects aimed at enhancing environmental resilience across Africa and Central Asia. His work focuses on driving innovations for green growth, biodiversity conservation, and the adaptation of agriculture to climate risks. Prior to joining the World Bank, 

Dr. Abebe was actively involved in scientific research on forest ecosystem restoration, enabling him to effectively bridge academic insights with practical, international-scale solutions.

Solijon Mirzoev, RESILAND Tajikistan Project Coordinator

Mirzoev has a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine, member of the Veterinary Association of Tajikistan. He also has over 20 years of experience in sustainable development and urbanization. He possesses practical knowledge in the management of forests, pastures, and protected areas, as well as in policy, planning, and sustainable use of natural resources.

As an international environmental expert, Mr. Mirzoev has extensive knowledge and practical experience in environmental protection, sustainable development, and natural resource conservation at both national and international levels.

Solijon Mirzoev has significant experience in environmental protection, climate change adaptation in agriculture, livestock, and veterinary fields, and also possesses strong project management and capacity-building skills.

Mr. Mirzoev is fluent in Tajik (native), English, and Russian.

Turdumatov Talantbek Kubanychbekovich, Director of the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Specially Protected Natural Areas under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic

Talantbek Turdumatov is a specialist with more than 24 years of experience in the field of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and management of specially protected natural areas of the Kyrgyz Republic. Holds a class rank — Counselor of the State and Municipal Service, 1st class.

Over the years, he has made a significant contribution to the development of the nature protection system, biodiversity conservation, the development of specially protected natural areas, as well as the improvement of state policy in the field of sustainable natural resource management.

In his professional activities, he is responsible for coordinating and implementing international environmental conventions (the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands), as well as for cooperation with UNESCO in the field of natural heritage. 

Talantbek Turdumatov has higher education in the fields of ecology, law, and public administration.

Erkin Mukhitdinov — Director of the Agency for Increasing Forest Plantations, Developing Green Areas, and Combating Desertification under the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Climate Change

He has many years of experience in the public administration system of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including work in the financial sector, executive authorities, and strategic divisions of the Presidential Administration. Over the years, he has held senior positions in the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Office of the State Advisor to the President.

From 2017 to 2023, he served as the First Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, overseeing labor market development, employment, and the implementation of state socio-economic development programs. In 2023, he also worked as Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction.

In 2023–2024, he held leadership positions in the regional administration system, including the position of Hokim (Governor) of the Akhangaran District of Tashkent Region and First Deputy Hokim of Tashkent Region, where he oversaw economic development and poverty reduction initiatives.

Currently, he leads the Agency for Increasing Forest Plantations, Developing Green Areas, and Combating Desertification, which is responsible for implementing state policy on afforestation, ecosystem restoration, expansion of green zones, and land degradation prevention in Uzbekistan.

Erkin Mukhitdinov holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Andijan Institute of Economics and Construction and a Master’s degree in Banking Management from the Academy of Banking and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He also completed training at the Graduate School of the Institute for Developing Economies IDEAS-JETRO (Japan). He is fluent in Uzbek, Russian, and English.

Gayane Minasyan is a Practice Manager at the World Bank, leading work on Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy across Europe and Central Asia. With over two decades of experience in international development, she oversees strategic programs that support climate resilience, environmental governance, and the implementation of green transition policies.

Under her leadership, the World Bank supports governments in advancing decarbonization, sustainable land use, and the shift toward a circular economy. Minasyan is a prominent voice in global climate action and plays a key role in mobilizing financial resources for green reforms and sustainability-driven growth.

Kamal Kishore, Kamal Kishore is the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mr. Kishore brings to this position nearly three decades of experience in disaster risk reduction, climate action and sustainable development at the global, regional, national and local levels, having worked in government, the United Nations and civil society organizations.

Prior to joining UNDRR, Mr. Kishore was the Head of Department of the National Disaster Management Authority of India, where he led the G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and contributed to the development of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Mr. Kishore spent nearly thirteen years with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York, Geneva, and New Delhi where he contributed to advancing policy and supported post-disaster recovery in Bangladesh, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

Prior to UNDP, he served as Director of Information and Research, and Manager of Extreme Climate Events Programme at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre in Bangkok (1996-2002), covering Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam and as an Architect at the Action Research Unit for Development (1992-1994) in New Delhi where he worked on post-earthquake reconstruction projects.

Камал Кишор является Специальным представителем Генерального секретаря ООН по вопросам уменьшения опасности бедствий и главой Управления ООН по снижению риска бедствий (UNDRR) со штаб-квартирой в Женеве, Швейцария.

Г-н Кишор привносит в эту должность почти тридцатилетний опыт работы в области снижения риска бедствий, мер по борьбе с изменением климата и устойчивого развития на глобальном, региональном, национальном и местном уровнях. Ранее он работал в правительственных структурах, Организации Объединенных Наций и организациях гражданского общества.

До прихода в UNDRR г-н Кишор возглавлял департамент в Национальном управлении по ликвидации последствий стихийных бедствий Индии, где руководил Рабочей группой G20 по снижению риска бедствий и внес вклад в создание Коалиции за инфраструктуру, устойчивую к бедствиям (CDRI).

Г-н Кишор почти тринадцать лет проработал в Программе развития ООН (ПРООН) в Нью-Йорке, Женеве и Нью-Дели. Там он способствовал продвижению политики в этой сфере и поддерживал восстановление после бедствий в Бангладеш, Иране, на Мальдивах, в Мьянме, Пакистане, на Филиппинах и в Шри-Ланке.

Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov joined the OSCE as the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in February 2024. With now almost 20 years of experience, he first joined the diplomatic service in 2008 as Attaché in the Department of Eastern Countries of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2010 to 2017, Ambassador Dzhusupov held various positions in the Presidential Administration, Office of the Government Administration and Office of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, including Deputy Head of Foreign Policy Department. In 2017, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the OSCE and other international organizations in Vienna. In this capacity, he co-chaired the OSCE Group of Friends of Youth and Security, took up membership at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and included Kyrgyzstan in the UNIDO Programme for Country Partnership. He also served as Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Prior to joining the OSCE, Ambassador Dzhusupov was Director of the International Organizations Department at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he dealt with issues of co-operation with the UN, the OSCE and other international organizations.

Mackenzie Huffman is Director of Strategy and Impact for Carbon Mapper, responsible for advancing opportunities that maximize impact and build meaningful partnerships. Prior to joining Carbon Mapper she was Vice President for Sustainability at JPMorgan Chase, where she worked to develop and advance the firm’s climate and sustainability strategy. There she led the firm’s climate and resilience grantmaking and reporting, monitored industry and policy trends, and led stakeholder engagement on climate policy, risk and opportunities. Mackenzie also previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and in several roles at the Department of Energy where she focused on policies related to climate, energy, finance, environment, and resilience.

Speaker at Session 2: International Initiatives and regional cooperation

Panel Session on Strengthening Regional Actions on Methane Reduction in Central Asia

23 April 2026

Amina Akhmetzhanova holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Bergen, Norway, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration (Summa Cum Laude) from KIMEP University in Kazakhstan.

She is a programme and project management specialist with over 12 years of experience across the United Nations system, government, and the private sector, focusing on climate policy, agrifood systems, and international development.

Currently, she serves as Country Engagement and Outreach Consultant with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) under the United Nations Environment Programme in Paris, supporting country-driven climate mitigation initiatives and projects aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants in Central Asia.

Previously, she was Program Manager at the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), leading regional programmes on climate-smart agriculture, water governance, and food security. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles in the Government of Kazakhstan, including Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture, where she led international partnerships and investment initiatives in the agricultural sector. She also worked in the private sector on agribusiness investment and government relations.

The short quote:  “Methane mitigation is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to slow global warming, and Central Asia has a unique opportunity to turn this challenge into a regional climate leadership opportunity. Through the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, we are supporting countries to translate commitments into policies, projects, and investment pipelines.”

Speaker at 2.1 “Strengthening Regional Actions on Methane Reduction: A Dialogue Between Central Asian Countries and International Partners”  during 9-10:45, April 23

Hanling Yang earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Juris Doctor degree. 

Hanling Yang is an Associate Vice President of Energy Transition at the Environmental Defense Fund. She is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of EDF’s strategies and campaigns in key countries in the Asia-Pacific region to facilitate an equitable transition away from fossil fuel dependence, with a focus on halting the rise of fossil fuel emissions on a path consistent with a 2050 zero-carbon future.

Before joining EDF, Hanling was an Associate Director of the U.S – Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law at Vermont Law School, working collaboratively with government institutions, research institutes and legal professionals to advance environmental governance. Hanling also worked at the International Sustainable Development Foundation in Portland Oregon managing a decade-long sustainable land use and urban planning training program and green community projects.

She is fluent in English and Mandarin 

Utchang Kang — Programme Management Officer, Global Mechanism, UNCCD. Kang is a specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the public sector at national and international levels in the fields of research, international development, and policy. He has led the development and management of projects and programmes related to biodiversity, forestry, land degradation, and desertification, particularly global policy on sand and dust storms (SDS).

Currently, his main focus is on environmental diplomacy and the interlinkages between land resources, peace, and security, connecting SDG 15 and SDG 16 through the “Peace Forest” Initiative. In addition, he leads the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) initiative “Business for Land” (B4L), which promotes private sector engagement in land and ecosystem restoration.

Christophe Besacier: Speaker at Panel Session 2: Utilizing Regional Cooperation in a Changing Global Policy Environment

Christophe Besacier earned an engineering degree in forestry and a Master’s degree in natural resource management, with specialization in forest and landscape restoration and sustainable land management. He is a Senior Forestry Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), where he coordinates the Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM). He provides technical leadership and oversees the implementation of forest and landscape restoration initiatives in more than 20 countries worldwide, supporting national restoration planning, governance frameworks, and large-scale programme implementation. He actively contributes to major international restoration initiatives, including the Bonn Challenge, the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR), the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. His work focuses on strengthening partnerships, mobilizing financial resources, enhancing monitoring systems, and advancing restoration as a pathway to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

He is fluent in French (native) and English. 

Dr. Gao Xin is a Professor at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in aeolian science and desertification control. With a PhD from the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, he has led over 10 major national and international research projects, including the Third Xinjiang Comprehensive Scientific Expedition, and published more than 80 papers in top journals such as JGR, GRL, and EPSL. His pioneering work on dune dynamics and sand transport equations, along with the development of extreme-environment sand control technologies, has directly supported the 3,046-kilometer "locking-edge" project around the Taklimakan Desert and informed national ecological security strategies, earning recognition at the National "13th Five-Year Plan" Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Exhibition and UN South-South Cooperation initiatives. As the leader of the Taklimakan Desert Scientific Expedition Team, he continues to advance cross-boundary landscape restoration and sustainable desert management in Central Asia.

Daurbek Sakiyev

Director of the Department for Monitoring and Forecasting Emergency Situations under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic

Speaker of the session 3.2 Fifth Meeting of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) of the RESILAND CA+ Programme

Daurbek Sakiyev is a specialist with more than 20 years of experience in disaster risk management, climate change, and environmental safety. He has worked on national and international projects under the auspices of the UN, UNDP, ADB, the World Bank, UNECE, and other organizations, including initiatives on the implementation of early warning systems and climate risk assessment.

A certified specialist in ecology and natural resource management. In 2003, he graduated from the Faculty of Geography and Ecology of Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn.

Durdyyev Bayrammurad

Head of the Biodiversity Laboratory, National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna, Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan

Speaker of the session 3.2 Fifth Meeting of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) of the RESILAND CA+ Programme

Bayrammurad Durdyyev has more than 36 years of experience in agroecology. He possesses practical expertise in land resource management, improving the productivity of irrigated lands, optimizing fertilizer systems for agricultural crops, and implementing coordinate-based farming systems.

Over the past five years, he has participated as a national expert in the Regional Project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) “Integrated Natural Resource Management in Drought-Prone and Salt-Affected Agricultural Production Landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2), as well as in the World Bank’s Regional Program RESILAND CA+, which addresses the restoration of degraded landscapes in Turkmenistan.

Bayrammurad Durdyyev holds a higher education degree in agriculture, completed postgraduate and doctoral studies, and earned a Doctor of Science degree in agriculture.

Farrukh Sattarov, Director of the National Centre for Climate Change under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Farrukh Sattarov was born on July 28, 1986, in Jizzakh, the administrative center of Jizzakh Region. He graduated from Tashkent State Technical University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree and completed his master’s degree at the Higher School of Entrepreneurship and Business in 2023.

Before his appointment, Farrukh Sattarov served as the Head of the Environmental Policy Department at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change. He has also held various positions at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection, the "Uzstandard" Agency, and other organizations.

Dr Ranga Pallawala, Key Expert on integrating Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)

Dr. Ranga Pallawala serves as the Key Expert on integrating Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and ensuring compliance with global and regional multilateral environmental and climate change agreements under the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component of the SWITCH-Asia Programme. He brings extensive expertise in international climate change negotiations, collaborating with governments, businesses, and civil society to evaluate and develop strategies for achieving and adhering to international climate standards.

Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan 

Since 1 September 2022 Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan responsible for a wide portfolio of regional projects in Central Asia as well as for bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, including in the area of green transition, water, trade, transport relations. 

From 2020 to 2022, Johannes was working in DG Energy in the EU Commission in Brussels on the implementation of the European Green Deal. He was coordinating the revision of the EU Renewables Directive and international hydrogen policies. 

He was Head of Sector for Economic Cooperation, Energy, Transport and Environment at the EU Delegation in Ukraine from 2016-2020 and worked in the Support Group for Ukraine on energy reforms in Ukraine. Before 2014, he occupied different positions in the European Commission in the area of human resources, internal markets and international relations, including for EU-Russia energy relations and the negotiations of aviation agreements with third countries. 

Before starting his career at the Commission in 2000, he was working for the Foreign Ministry of Germany, as well as in the private and academic sector. He studied international law, history and Slavic languages and has a PhD in Russian history.

Expert on climate issues at the Russian "Nature and People" Foundation, lead author of IPCC reports

Alexey Kokorin has nearly 45 years of experience in climate issues. He is the author of more than 190 scientific and popular works on the underlying physical causes and consequences of climate change, international climate cooperation, education and popularization of scientific knowledge. In 1981, Kokorin graduated with honors from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department. In 1984, he received his PhD degree in physics and mathematics from the same university. For over 15 years he worked at the Institute of Global Climate and Ecology of Roshydromet (Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring) and the Russian Academy of Sciences, where he progressed from junior to lead researcher.

Since the late 1980s, he participated as a leading author in the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for the dissemination of scientific knowledge on climate change among thousands of scientists who contributed to this work. In 2017, Mr. Kokorin was awarded the badge "Honorary Conservationist of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia", as well as the certificate of honor of Roshydromet for many years of diligent work.

Since 1994, Alexey Kokorin actively participates in the work of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in the 1990s - as a member of the Russian delegation, and for the last 20 years - as an observer and independent expert. From 2000 till Summer 2023, he was the Director of Climate Program of WWF-Russia (in March 2023, the organization was included in the Russian Registry of Foreign Agents).

Over many years of his work, Alexey Kokorin has been the leader or leading expert on over 30 climate projects of UNEP, UNDP, the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Fund of Presidential Grants and a number of international and national cooperation agencies. In recent years he became involved in activities in the Central Asia, in particular in the promotion of adaptation to climate change. From Summer 2023 till Spring 2024, he was consultant of the Central Asia Regional Ecological Centre. He also represents countries of the region in the special expert group of non-governmental organizations working on climate issues and the UNFCCC (Policy Coordination Group of the Climate Action Network). Since February 2024, Alexey Kokorin has been an expert on climate issues in the Russian “Nature and People” Foundation, where, in particular, he is in charge of preparing analytical materials on different aspects of the climate issues.

Through his work with the media Mr. Kokorin is actively involved in communicating scientific information on climate change to the public at large. Over the past 20 years he provided about 4,000 interviews to Russian and foreign media. Alexey Kokorin is constantly analyzing the activities of the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement; since 2000, twice a year, he has been preparing detailed information reviews for specialists in Russia and neighboring countries. 

Session 3.1. “Capacity Building and Scientific Cooperation for the Development of Renewable Energy in Central Asia”

Dr.Bakhtiyor Pulatov is a distinguished expert in environmental governance and sustainable development. He is a graduate of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Land Reclamation, Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, and Lund University in Sweden.

He began his academic career as a Senior Researcher at Lund University and later served as a specialist at the Center for Ecological Geographic Information Systems of TIIAME. He subsequently headed the Uzbek branch of the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development under the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

Throughout his professional career, he has led and coordinated numerous environmental programs and grant initiatives within the system of the State Committee for Ecology of the Republic of Uzbekistan and served as Director of a specialized research institute focused on environmental protection and sustainable resource management. In August 2024, he was elected as a member of the Commission on the Climate Crisis of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflecting his growing international recognition in climate and environmental policy.

He currently serves as Rector of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University), where he leads academic and research initiatives focused on climate change, environmental sustainability, and regional cooperation.

He is fluent in Uzbek (native) and is fluent in Russian and English.

·        European and International Environment and Climate Change Advisor

·        Chartered Architect and Urban Planner

·        Vice-Chairperson of the UN-ECE Committee on Environmental Policies

·        WHO European Environment and Health Task Force Bureau Member

·        Focal Point for Italy in the Intergovernmental Council Buildings and Climate

·        Laurea Magistralis (BA+MSc) in Architecture and Urban Planning (Hons)

·        Master in Global Environmental Protection and International Politics (Hons)

·        Registered at the Board of Architects and Urban Planners of Rome (Italy) #16053

·        Full Member of the Italian Institute of Urban Planning (INU)

Alessandra Fidanza is an International Environment and Climate Change Advisor, Chartered Architect, Urban Planner, and Programme Manager with over 25 years of experience in cities, sustainability and environmental projects, mainly focused on climate change. She is a Senior Expert at the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, representing Italy in various European and international organisations such as UNFCCC, UN-Habitat, WHO Environment and Health, UNECE, FAO, and IEA. She has managed several multilateral activities for the Italian Ministry of Environment, including initiatives such as ICAT (UNOPS), 3DEN Initiative (with the IEA and UNEP), and FAO-IACSA, which have received substantial funding from Italy.

Alessandra serves as vice-chair of the Bureau of the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policies, a Bureau Member of the WHO European Environment and Health Task Force, and a Member of the UNECE Environmental Performance Reviews Expert Group.

Alessandra frequently speaks or chairs international environmental and climate change forums. She also organises high-level events involving government participation.

She was part of the Italian climate change negotiation unit and the International Panel of Experts, which contributed to drafting the UN New Urban Agenda. She has actively participated in the "EU-Central Asia Platform of Environment and Water Multilateral Cooperation" framework and engaged in various bilateral governmental environmental agreements and international cooperation projects in Central Asia, Nepal, Vietnam, and North Africa.

In 2023, she organised and co-chaired the EU-Central Asia High-Level Conference on Environment and Water Cooperation in Rome on behalf of Italy, collaborating with the European Commission. She also chaired the Green Transition Session of the second EU-Central Asia Economic Forum held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Alessandra has further contributed to the elaboration of Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs) for several countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Morocco, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, she authored the UNECE Country Profile on Housing and Land Management of Uzbekistan in 2014.

With a solid academic background, Alessandra has lectured at the Universities of Rome (La Sapienza) and Berlin (Technische Universität).

She is fluent in Italian (native), English and French. She has working knowledge of Russian and German and understands Spanish.

Ainur Sospanova, Chairman of the Board Qazaq Green Association

At present, Ainur Sospanova is a chairperson of the Board of the Qazaq Green Association in Kazakhstan.

As the Director of the RES Department in the Ministry of Energy participated in the creation of the existing RES support system in the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- in determining the target indicators for the development of the RES sector for 2020, 2030 and 2050;
- in the creation of a scheme for the purchase and sale of RES and the creation of a single buyer of renewable energy;
- in the development and approval of the standard form of the PPA contract;
- in calculating and approving fixed tariffs for various RES technologies;
- in the creation of an auction mechanism for the selection of RES projects.

Experience in interacting with government agencies, local executive bodies , major international investors of RES, IFOs (EBRD, ADB, EDB, AIIB IFC), international organizations (UNDP, IRENA, USAID, UNIDO, DENA).
Experience in organizing and holding major international events, including as a speaker, moderator.

Anastasia Isaenko Principal Consultant

Anastasia Isaenko is a Principal Consultant in Carbon Limits focusing on methane management in the oil and gas sector. She has contributed to a wide range of consultancy projects spanning technical, financial and regulatory dimensions with a strong focus on helping governments and industry actors understand, monitor, and reduce their methane emissions. Her work includes extensive capacity building on methane management for diverse stakeholders. She leads the deployment of Mist, Carbon Limits’ methane management software for oil and gas companies and contributes to the development of national level methane inventories.  Anastasia also supports companies in their OGMP reporting and progression toward the Gold Standard, leads measurement campaigns that include on site identification of methane emission sources detected by satellites to support effective mitigation and provides guidance on methane finance. Anastasia is the country lead for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

In my speech I will focus on the relationship between oil and gas companies and regulators. Key message of my presentation:

• The development of trust between oil and gas companies and regulators is essential for effective methane management.

• Effective regulation is built through strong relationships and the co‑development of rules based on open and transparent dialogue. Such collaboration allows regulators and industry to align expectations, share knowledge and address challenges more constructively. Open dialogue also encourages cooperation and information sharing, which are essential for designing practical and credible regulatory frameworks.

• Open and transparent dialogue between regulators and industry is particularly critical in case of satellite notifications. A collaborative approach helps ensure that alerts are addressed constructively rather than defensively. To obtain accurate and comprehensive data, companies must trust that information sharing will not automatically lead to penalties. This confidence encourages timely response to satellite notifications.

Emomali is an international civil servant with experience in energy security, climate change, and sustainable development. He joined the OSCE Secretariat in 2022, currently serving as Assistant Project Officer in the Energy Security Team at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, where he supports the implementation of energy security projects in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Balkans, and the Mediterranean region. 

Currently, he is leading two major work areas: 

1. Advancing a climate-resilient energy transition: he coordinates scientific work to apply advanced climate and energy system models to enhance energy sector resilience to rising climate and systemic risks in several regions, as part of the OSCE project “Mitigating Climate Change Threats to Critical Energy Infrastructure”.

Taalaibek Mederov obtained a Bachelor's degree in Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources and a PhD (Candidate of Technical Sciences) in Power Plants Based on Renewable Energy Sources.

He has more than 15 years of experience in the field of renewable energy, electrical engineering, and hydropower. He currently serves as the Head of the Renewable Energy Sources Department at the I. Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University and as a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Automation of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. His professional interests include small-scale hydropower, micro-hydropower systems, solar and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency. Throughout his career, he has actively participated in national and international projects funded by the European Union, USAID, and other organizations. His work includes the development and implementation of innovative solutions in small hydropower, environmental impact assessment of energy projects, and the advancement of educational programs and capacity-building initiatives in sustainable energy across Central Asia. He is the author of more than 25 scientific publications, including patents and a monograph, and has completed international training programs in Russia, Malaysia, Germany, and Switzerland.

He is fluent in Kyrgyz (native), Russian, and English.

Speaker at Panel Session 3.1: “Workforce Development and Research Cooperation to Advance Renewable Energy in Central Asia” 

Mansurdzhon Kudusov received a specialist's degree in construction and architecture and a PhD in Technical Sciences in the field of power plants based on renewable energy sources.

He is an engineer and researcher in the field of renewable energy from Tajikistan with over 15 years of professional experience. He specializes in solar and wind energy systems, energy audits, building energy efficiency, and the development of technical solutions for modern energy facilities.

He has extensive experience in international projects, including the preparation of technical documentation, scientific research, and the implementation of innovative energy-efficient technologies. He is actively engaged in professional development, research activities, and the promotion of modern engineering solutions in the Tajik market.

He serves as Vice President of the Renewable Energy Association of Tajikistan and is a recipient of the prestigious Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Young Engineer of the Year Award, recognizing his leadership potential and contribution to the development of the energy sector.

Mansurdzhon is fluent in Tajik (native), English and Russian.

Dilovarshokh Isozoda has a higher education in the specialties “Chemistry” and “Energy”, as well as an academic degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences in the field of chemical technology (technical sciences).

He has more than 40 years of experience in pedagogy and academic staff training within higher education institutions. He possesses extensive practical expertise in inorganic chemistry, hydrogen energy, and the electric power sector as a whole.

Over the past two decades, he has held senior leadership positions in several higher education institutions and educational organizations of the Republic of Tajikistan. He has substantial experience in effective human resource management, as well as in the organization and development of university structures aimed at enhancing research activities and training highly qualified specialists in the energy sector. He has worked at several higher education institutions and also held a senior position within the system of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Khatlon region.

He is fluent in Tajik (native) and Russian.

Dr Zhanar Naurozbayeva (Kazakhstan) is the head of the ‘Regional Climate Change’ laboratory at the Institute of Geography and Water Security JSC. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and her postgraduate studies at the Russian State Hydrometeorological University, where she defended her PhD thesis. The topic of her PhD thesis was ‘The Impact of Climate Change on the Ice Regime of the Caspian Sea’. As part of her thesis, she developed and implemented a methodology for short-term forecasting of ice thickness growth into the operational work of Kazhydromet, with an accuracy rate of 96–98%. The results of this work have been tested at the hydrometeorological centres in Hamburg and Moscow, as well as at Kazhydromet. She has over 15 years’ experience in research, studying climate change, modelling climate scenarios, investigating the ice regime of the Caspian Sea, and researching hazardous meteorological phenomena (fog, thunderstorms, sea ice). She has authored over 70 publications in the fields of meteorology, climatology and hydrology, including a monograph and articles in leading journals. She has participated in over 100 conferences and seminars. She has six medals, including two state medals, as well as over 70 certificates, diplomas and letters of appreciation. Zhanar is a founding member and leadership council of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Quote:

“Climate change is a shared challenge that calls for a shift from competition to solidarity. Within our Network, we are fostering a new culture of water dialogue, where the expertise of women scientists and decision-makers serves as a bridge between national interests and the region’s collective environmental security.”

Dr. Barbara Janusz-Pawletta acts as a IWMI Country Representative -Uzbekistan, and Head of the Regional Representative Office for Central Asia. She is a researcher in the IWMI Research team on Water Governance and Political Economy (WGPE) focusing on Water law, International environmental law, water governance and diplomacy, transboundary cooperation. 

Previously, she acted as a Vice-president on International Cooperation and Sustainable Development at the Kazakh-German University (DKU) and UNESCO Chairholder for water management in Central Asia. Barbara is a member of International Law Association, International Water Law association, Center for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL).

Ms. Saltanat Zhakenova is an independent climate change expert and an IWMI consultant. She has over 25 years of experience in environmental management, with a particular focus on the countries of Central Asia.

Since 2009, Ms. Zhakenova has been involved in conducting climate change vulnerability assessments across various economic sectors and in the development of Kazakhstan's first national Climate Change Adaptation and Low-Carbon Development Concepts under UNDP projects. Subsequently, she coordinated Climate Risks and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVA) across all five Central Asian countries, contributed to the development of National Adaptation Plans, and served as an expert on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach under the European Union initiative.

She has extensive experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders. Ms. Zhakenova is the author and co-author of numerous analytical publications, including country-level climate risk and vulnerability assessments, policy briefs, and regional strategic documents.

Dr. Iskandar Abdullaev is a Senior Researcher at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and an international expert in water management with over 30 years of professional experience.

His career includes a number of senior positions in international and academic organizations. Over the years, he has served as an Advisor at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), IWMI Representative in Pakistan, Deputy Director of the CAREC Institute, Professor at Giessen University (Germany), and Senior Researcher at the Center for Development Research (ZEF) of the University of Bonn, Germany.

Dr. Abdullaev is a member of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) and serves on the editorial boards of several international peer-reviewed journals. He is the author of three monographs, more than 30 peer-reviewed articles, and a number of policy analysis publications.

His research interests focus on Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Caucasus.

Mr. Alexandr Nikolayenko Project Manager for the Blue Peace Central Asia regional project funded by Swiss Development Cooperation at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). He is an expert in regional cooperation in Central Asia, sustainable water resources management, and environmental security.

Alexandr has more than 25 years of experience in the development and implementation of international projects in the fields of water diplomacy, climate change, and natural resources management, with a particular focus on applying the WEF Nexus approach in Central Asia. Prior to joining IWMI, he served as Senior Regional Advisor for the GIZ programme “Transboundary Water Resources Management” and as Deputy Programme Manager for the GIZ programme “Green Central Asia.” He has also led and managed projects implemented by United Nations Development Programme, the European Union, and Central Asia Regional Environmental Centre.

Session "Economic Dimensions of Water–Energy Cooperation in Central Asia under Climate Change"

Dzhekshenkulov А.D. is a statesman, diplomat, and expert in international cooperation, Doctor of Political Sciences, and Professor at the B. N. Yeltsin Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University. Over the years, he has held key foreign policy positions, including Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to Austria and Permanent Representative to the OSCE, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic from 2005 to 2007. In 2019–2020, he represented Kyrgyzstan in the Russian Federation, with concurrent accreditation to Armenia and Greece. Today, he combines his diplomatic experience with academic and expert work in international cooperation, including water and energy issues.

Sergey Kiselev is Carbon Lead at SEFE Marketing & Trading, based in Switzerland, where he is responsible for origination and commercial structuring of carbon projects. He focuses on developing scalable investment models in the voluntary and compliance carbon markets, with a particular emphasis on Central Asia. Together with partners from SAFC Kazakhstan, Sergey structured the first international carbon finance transaction in Kazakhstan, establishing a precedent for foreign investment into carbon projects in the country. Sergei holds an MBA from Warwick Business School (UK) and a Bachelor’s degree from MGIMO (Russia).

Borombaeva Elvira is President of the Association of Legal Entities “Small Hydropower Plants Association” and a member of the CAREC Board of Governors representing the business and scientific community of Central Asia. She has more than 27 years of experience in the fields of energy, investment, and industry, including work in leading corporations, public service, and international projects, and has completed advanced training courses in Japan, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, and other countries. She has received a number of awards for her significant contribution to socio-economic development and energy security, and was named “Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025.” She is actively engaged in promoting legislative and institutional reforms in energy, renewable energy, investment, entrepreneurship, and public-private dialogue.

Sergey Makarov is the head of the Climate Risk Management in Central Asia regional program implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of German Government and cofounded by the Government of the UK for international development. The Program encompasses all five countries of the region and operates at the crossroads of climate change, water resource management, disaster risk reduction and intergovernmental cooperation.

Previously, Mr. Makarov coordinated regional GIZ projects in South-East Asia, participated in negotiations on climate finance and carbon markets; he also held various positions at the Secretariate of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

He holds a Master of Science degree in physics and MBA from London Business School.

Dr. Caroline Milow is the head of GIZ projects - Green Central Asia: Transboundary Dialogue on Climate, Environment and Security in Central Asia and Climate-Sensitive Water Recourse Management in Central Asia.

After studying history, political science and Slavic philology, Ms. Milow defended a doctoral dissertation ‘The Ukrainian Question in 1917 – 1923: a Focus of European Diplomacy’ at the University of Regensburg in 1998. Since 1999, she held several positions in OSCE in Albany and Kosovo, and then was the head of the Office of Economics, Environmental Activities and Good Governance in the OSCE Project Coordinator's Office in Uzbekistan (2008-2011). She was then appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany to act as a political advisor to the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia / European External Action Service, where she was involved in issues related to water supply, environment and energy (2011-2014).

Since 2011, Dr. Milow has been actively involved in issues of transboundary water resource management in Central Asia. In 2015 she was selected to participate in a joint training course on water diplomacy, organized by Tufts University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University. Since 2014 she has been working in Central Asia for German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH and is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Dr. Milow was the head of the German MFA’s project on Transboundary Water Management in Central Asia’ cofounded by the EU on water resource management in Uzbekistan (2016-2020) and the project of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety on Ecosystem Based Land Use and Ecosystems Conservation along the Lower Reaches of Amu Dariya (2019-2020) and is currently in charge of the following projects: Green Central Asia: Transboundary Dialogue on Climate, Environment and Security in Central Asia (2024-2028) funded by the MFA of Germany, European Union for Sustainable Central Asia: Joint Actions and Cooperation on Water, Energy and Climate Change funded by the European Union as well as the Climate-Sensitive Water Resource Management in Central Asia (2023-2028) funded by the General Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ).

Dr. Iulii Didovets, Postdoctoral Researcher, Project Lead, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Dr Iulii Didovets is a PostDoc researcher at the Climate Resilience department and a Project Lead of the Green Vision Central Asia,  CWEH-Uzbekistan and AQUASIA projects at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. His area of interest and professional experience covers hydrological modelling, extremes and climate change.  Iulii develops his knowledge working in projects on Europe, Africa and Central Asia, where he also expands his expertise in capacity building, teaching and assessment of the climate impacts.
Iulii holds a Master degree in Geoecology and PhD in Geography. As a PhD student got a scholarship from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) within Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees program, and was involved as a researcher at the NatRisk Change Research Program at the Potsdam University for flood risks assessment in the mountain regions.

Session Climate Finance and the Private Sector

   Ramazan Zhampiissov, Executive Director, ECOJER Association

  An expert in decarbonization and sustainable development, and co-founder of the consulting company EcoSolutions Group, LLP. He has over 15 years of experience working across international organizations, quasi-governmental and private sectors, including leading the Low-Carbon Development Department at JSC NC KazMunayGas, the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects, and the Sustainable Development Unit of UNDP in Kazakhstan. He led the development of the first corporate decarbonization strategy among Kazakhstan’s national companies and actively contributed to shaping the national and sectoral climate agenda, as well as to the development of the non-governmental sector, including the establishment of the KAZENERGY and ECOJER associations. He has served as an expert for international organizations such as GIZ, ADB, UNECE, the Energy Charter, and others. He holds an MSc in Engineering Management (Energy and Environmental Management program, George Washington University) and is certified in IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 sustainability standards.

Session Climate Finance and the Private Sector

Aidzhan Karieva is a Member of the Management Board of Eldik Bank OJSC, overseeing international cooperation, ESG, investments, and climate finance. She has 22 years of experience in the banking sector, including sustainable development, ESG transformation, corporate governance, marketing, and business development.

Under her leadership, the Bank obtained accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), becoming the first financial institution in the Kyrgyz Republic to achieve this status. The Bank also received the country’s highest ESG score of 60 from S&P Global, joined the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact Office in Central Asia, and became a recipient of the international WSBI SDG Award 2025 for projects in gender equality, innovation, and climate action.

She is a certified corporate governance trainer at the Sustainable Development Academy of the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan (under IFC standards) and a national ESG trainer at the OSCE Academy.

Lobar Umarova is a Chief Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. An expert in international relations and Central Asian studies, she has dedicated over a decade to researching mechanisms of interstate cooperation. Her work focuses on the effective management of transboundary water resources, climate change adaptation strategies, and pathways for strengthening water-energy and environmental partnership in Central Asia.

Quote:

 "Every drop of water, every resource matters — just as every life does. We are called to live with dignity and to cherish every moment. So, let us learn to use not only our human potential effectively, but the riches of nature as well."

Session Climate Finance and the Private Sector

Didar Karimsakov, Chairman of the Management Board of «Qazaqstan Investment Corporation» JSC

Has over 15 years of professional experience in the public and quasi-public sectors, including more than five years in senior leadership positions within investment and development institutions.

He graduated from M.S. Narikbayev KAZGUU University with a degree in Law. He began his professional career as a Legal Consultant at JSC Republican Center of Space Communication.

Throughout his career, he has held positions in both public and private sector organizations, including Samruk-Kazyna Invest LLP, Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Kazakhstan Pravda Republican Newspaper JSC, QazTech Ventures JSC, and QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development JSC.

Didar Karimssakov also served as Managing Director of Kazyna Capital Management JSC (rebranded in 2023 as Qazaqstan Investment Corporation JSC).

Prior to his appointment as Chairman of the Management Board of Qazaqstan Investment Corporation, he served as Chairman of the Management Board of the International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center, where he oversaw sustainable development initiatives, investment attraction, and international cooperation.

He has extensive experience in investment policy, private capital development, and international partnerships.

Session Climate Finance and the Private Sector

Evetta Zenina, is a Regional Environmental Specialist at the FAO Subregional Office for Türkiye and Central Asia, where since 2019 she has been providing technical support to countries in the region on climate change, sustainable land and water management, disaster risk reduction, and the implementation of climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. She has professional experience with FAO, UNEP, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, including work on resilient agrifood systems and ecosystem restoration. She holds degrees from Lomonosov Moscow State University and Humboldt University of Berlin and is a co-author of several publications.

Session Climate Finance and the Private Sector

Baglana Mussina, Chief Sustainability Officer, Freedom Holding Corp., President, Freedom Shapagat Corporate Foundation, Advisor to the CEO on Government Relations and Investor Relations (GR/IR)

Baglana Mussina has served as Chief Sustainability Officer of Freedom Holding Corp. since April 2024. In this role, she is responsible for shaping and implementing the company’s ESG strategy, advancing the sustainability agenda across its operations in the United States, the European Union, and the CIS countries, and overseeing the preparation of the Sustainability Report and engagement with corporate governance bodies.

Within her expanded mandate, she also serves as Advisor to the CEO on Government Relations and Investor Relations, supporting dialogue with public authorities, investors, and international partners. She also leads the Freedom Shapagat Corporate Foundation, which implements social and environmental initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Previously, she headed the ESG function at Freedom Finance Global PLC, served as Director for Sustainable Development at Samruk-Kazyna, and also worked at Kazatomprom and the international consulting firm Solving Efeso (Italy).

Education: MBA (Switzerland), degree in International Economics (SDU), and PhD in Project Management (Satbayev University). She is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, English, Italian, and Turkish.

Saule Shalmaganbetova has been working in the water management system of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 2003. She has held positions as a chief specialist, expert, and head of departments within the Committee for Water Resources, and also headed a division in the Department of Strategic Planning and Analysis of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 2021–2023, she led the Department for Regulation of Water Resources Use within the Committee for Water Resources, and in 2023–2024, she served as Deputy Chair of the Committee.

Since 2024, she has been heading the Information and Analytical Department of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

Heinz Habegger works as a water management specialist at the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). He is a member of Swiss Humanitarian Aid and took on his role at UNRCCA as part of a secondment from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Heinz Habegger was director of the Agency for Water in a large Swiss canton for many years. There he dealt with issues of water supply, water protection, hydropower, lake regulation, and water management. Until three years ago, he was President of the Swiss Water Association. He also served for a long time on the board of the Swiss Water Research Institute Eawag at ETH Zurich. For 10 years, he has run his own company specializing in water management and water conflicts. From 2022 to 2024, he worked as a water management specialist at the Mekong River Commission in Laos, Southeast Asia.

Heinz Habegger holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA in International Management. He also completed a degree in mediation.  

Quote:

“Central Asia is a region facing severe water shortages; the pressure is mounting, and the measures taken so far are insufficient.

There is a need for a more intensive regional search for solutions, involving appropriate high-level political bodies.”

Giorgio Pompilio is a jurist and lawyer with over twenty years of experience in the Swiss diplomatic service. Throughout his career he has worked on Swiss–EU relations, Switzerland’s seat on the UN Security Council (2023–2024), international financial markets, national and international taxation, public diplomacy, communication, and human resources.

Since January 2026 he is acting as Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Swiss Embassy in Astana, which is responsible for Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. From August to December 2025, he has served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi. Prior to these short-term appointments he was a member of the extended cabinet of the Swiss Foreign Minister, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis, for five years.

From 2015 to 2019, he served as Deputy Consul General in New York, where he led the Economic and Communication Section. Previously, as Head of Division at Presence Switzerland, the public diplomacy unit of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), he oversaw public diplomacy initiatives carried out by Swiss representations abroad. In this capacity he also led the campaign “Solar Impulse around the World” within FDFA.

He has also worked at the Swiss Embassy in Paris, beginning his career in the Human Resources Directorate of FDFA.

A native Italian speaker, he is fluent in German, French, and English and has a working knowledge of Spanish from his time in Buenos Aires.

Daniel Gerecke is Head of Programme of the Regional Programme "Integrative and Climate-sensitive Land Use in Central Asia" (ILUCA), implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government. He is based in Bishkek and is a geographer by background.

Daniel joined GIZ in 2003 and has worked with GIZ in various positions in Germany, as well as in Oceania and in Africa, covering topics of climate change, land use, agriculture and rural development, regional integration, environmental education and donor coordination.

Having joined GIZ in Central Asia in 2021, Daniel has been focusing on sustainable land use issues, resilience to climate change, climate finance and strengthening regional cooperation on these matters.

Speaker at Session 2.1 Methane Initiatives in Central Asia 

Marcelo Mena, MS, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer, Global Methane Hub 

Marcelo Mena holds a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Iowa, and completed postdoctoral work at MIT on a Fulbright fellowship. 

Mena is the founding CEO of the Global Methane Hub, the world's first globally coordinated philanthropic effort dedicated to reducing methane emissions, which has advanced policies and projects in over 150 countries and leveraged over $10 billion in climate finance, supporting action across the energy, waste, and agriculture sectors, including providing support to governments seeking to advance national climate commitments. He is also a professor at the School of Biochemical Engineering at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, a TED speaker, and a member of the 2024 cohort of The Audacious Project. 

He served as Minister and Vice Minister of the Environment for Chile under President Michelle Bachelet (2014–2018), where he spearheaded South America's first carbon taxes for power generation and new car sales, orchestrated a landmark agreement to phase out coal power generation, established 45,000 square kilometers of national parks, and protected 1.3 million square kilometers of ocean — helping increase Chile's protected areas from 8% to 36%. He subsequently served as Practice Manager at the World Bank, where he led the creation of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, and co-chaired the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. 

His environmental leadership has been recognized by the UN Environment Programme (Champion of the Earth), NASA, the EPA, National Geographic, Oceans Unite, and Business Insider. He has served as a member of the jury for the Goldman Environmental Prize since 2025. He was featured in TIME100 Climate 2024 and Latin America's 50 Climate Leaders (2024–2025).

Quote: 

This presentation will focus on methane mitigation as one of the most effective ways to slow temperature rise in the short term, while delivering immediate local benefits to communities that act. It will also highlight how the Global Methane Hub is supporting countries in reducing methane emissions across the energy, waste, and agriculture sectors, with a particular focus on opportunities in the energy sector to reduce operational costs, strengthen energy security, and expand access to international markets.

was born on 3 May 1997 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. He is of Turkmen nationality.

In 2021, he graduated from the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S. A. Niyazov with a degree in Land Reclamation Engineer.

He began his professional career in 2021 as a Leading Hydraulic Engineer at the “Garagumsuvhojalyk” Department of the “Garagumderyasuvhojalyk” Association of the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan.

Since 2022, he has been working as a Chief Specialist in the Water Use Department of the “Garagumderyasuvhojalyk” Association of the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan.

He is married and has two children.

Quote:

“Water is the primary medium through which we experience the impacts of climate change: from unpredictable precipitation to shrinking ice cover, rising sea levels, floods, and droughts.”

Rimma Elemanova

Speaker at Panel Session: Cooperation in Human Resource Development and Scientific Research for Advancing Renewable Energy in Central Asia

Vice-Rector for Research Razzakov Kyrgyz State Technical University. She earned a Diploma of Engineer in Food Technology, the Candidate of Technical Sciences degree in the Processing of Plant and Animal Raw Materials, and the Doctor of Technical Sciences degree in Food Sciences.

Rimma Elemanova has over 25 years of experience in food technology. She specializes in the development and implementation of modern technologies for the production of functional food products, membrane technologies for whey processing, freeze-drying (sublimation drying), and improving the efficiency of industrial processing of dairy raw materials from the high-mountain regions of Kyrgyzstan.

Over the past 15 years, she has led and participated in numerous scientific projects and initiatives at national and international levels, including the development of resource-saving technologies for processing local agricultural raw materials. She has extensive experience in managing the university’s academic and research activities, coordinating international consortia, organizing summer schools, scientific conferences, and doctoral programs.

She actively participates in international educational projects under the Erasmus+ programme, focusing on the development of academic mobility, food technologies, and sustainable use of water resources in Central Asia.

She is fluent in Kyrgyz (native), Russian.

Session 2.3. Economic Dimensions of Water–Energy Cooperation in Central Asia under Climate Change

Prof. Dr. Ines Dombrowsky heads the Department Environmental Governance at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and is an honorary professor at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. She holds a Masters degree in environmental engineering from Technical University of Berlin and PhD in Economics from the University of Halle-Wittenberg. Her research, grounded in institutional economics and political sciences, focuses on coordination and cooperation in environmental governance across levels, sectors, actor types, borders and scales. Thematic foci include the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus, climate-biodiversity interlinkages as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. She has widely published on water governance issues across scales. She has prior work experience with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ (2001-2010), the World Bank (1997-2001) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (1995-1997).

Session «Economic Dimensions of Water–Energy Cooperation in Central Asia under Climate Change»

Dinara Ziganshina, DSc, is the SIC ICWC in Central Asia, a regional organisation that contributes to fostering transboundary water cooperation in the region through data, information and knowledge development and dissemination. Dr. Ziganshina is the Chair of the Implementation Committee under the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention); a Governor at the World Water Council and an Associate Professor at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers.

Ms. Lyazzat Ziyabekova — Head of the Department for State Monitoring of Groundwater and the Meliorative Condition of Irrigated Lands under the Groundwater Department of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

She was born on January 3, 1989, in the city of Ekibastuz. She graduated from South Kazakhstan State University with a Bachelor's degree in Water Resources and Water Use, and later obtained a Master's degree in the same field from Taraz State University. She holds a Master of Agricultural Sciences degree.

She began her professional career in 2013 as an expert at the Committee for Water Resources, within the Department of Hydromelioration and State Program Implementation.

From 2013 to 2023, she worked at the Committee for Water Resources, where she held various positions in:

the Department of Hydromelioration and State Program Implementation;

the Department of Development of Water Infrastructure and Hydromeliorative Systems;

the Department of State Accounting and Water Resources Cadastre.

Since January 12, 2024, she has been serving as the Head of the Department for State Monitoring of Groundwater and the Meliorative Condition of Irrigated Lands under the Groundwater Department of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Maral Chommadova, Regional Coordinator for the Development of the Regional One Health Action Plan, CAREC. Prior to joining the CAREC team, for over 20 years she had worked at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. During 2017-2025, Maral served as the Deputy Head of the Especially Dangerous Infections Prevention Department of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. As a graduate of the Turkmen State Medical University and WHO Pan-European Leadership Academy (Tier 2) Advanced Program, Ms. Chommadova specializes in epidemiological surveillance and strengthening regional cooperation in Central Asia.

Duriya Charypkhan is an international animal health consultant with FAO, a veterinarian by training with a PhD in epidemiology and biostatistics, and a member of the PPR Global Eradication Programme Secretariat. She coordinates the Pandemic Fund project in Kazakhstan and works on key regional initiatives on brucellosis, PPR and pandemic preparedness. Her expertise includes One Health systems strengthening, zoonotic disease burden assessment, integrated surveillance, and regional coordination to improve prevention, detection, and response to emerging health threats at the human–animal–environment interface.

Dr. Olga Shibistova is a researcher at Leibniz University Hannover, specializing in ecosystem carbon balance and the exchange of carbon between ecosystems and the atmosphere. Her work integrates approaches across multiple scales—from molecular to ecosystem level—combining biomarkers, stable isotopes, chamber measurements, and eddy covariance techniques.

Her research focuses on soil health, carbon sequestration, sustainable land management, and climate change mitigation. While working across diverse environments—from tropical systems to the Arctic—her primary research focus over the past decade has been on carbon dynamics in permafrost soils and the sustainable management of soil organic matter in Central Asian steppe ecosystems.

Dr. Shibistova has led and contributed to several international research initiatives, including EU CarboEurope, EU CryoCarb, and a German Research Foundation project on sustainable forestry in Ethiopia. More recently, she coordinated international collaboration within the ReKKS project (Innovations for Sustainable Agricultural Resource Use and Climate Adaptation in the Dry Steppes of Kazakhstan), funded under the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research Client II Program, gaining extensive experience in Central Asia.

She currently coordinates the ExSoil initiative, which aims to advance soil science, strengthen education and institutional capacity, and support evidence-based policy development for sustainable land management and resilient soils that provide essential ecosystem services across Central Asia and Mongolia. Her work increasingly contributes to the One Health framework by highlighting the fundamental role of soil systems in linking ecosystem processes with food security, environmental quality, and human health.

“Soil health underpins climate resilience, food security, and human well-being, and must be recognized as a strategic priority for sustainable development” .

Since September 2025, Dr. Sinaia Netanyahu has been serving as Senior Advisor for Nature and Health at the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health. Prior to this, from September 2020 to 2025, she held the position of Programme Manager for Environment and Health Impact Assessment at the same Centre, based in Bonn, Germany. Dr. Netanyahu’s work has focused on key issues such as urban health, environmental and health inequalities, environment and health impact assessments, nature, biodiversity and health, and the integration of environment and health within the One Health framework. She also leads cross-cutting efforts related to monitoring environment and health indicators, governance, and the development of professional capacities. Additionally, Dr. Netanyahu serves as the focal point for environment and health in the Multi-Country Pandemic Fund One Health grant for Central Asia.

From June 2011 to March 2018, Dr. Netanyahu was the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the State of Israel. In this role, she led the national research program on environment and health, coordinated national reports and government resolutions on climate change adaptation, and contributed to the development of the Environment and Health National Plan. She also advised ministers on scientific, technological, and policy matters in the fields of environment, health, and natural resources.

Between 2004 and 2011, Dr. Netanyahu worked as the Manager of Sustainable Financing and Senior Economist at TAHAL Group, where she led environmental and impact assessments and business development for projects across Israel, Africa, and Asia. Her portfolio spanned water, environmental, agricultural, and spatial planning projects, with a strong focus on environmental, health, and social impact assessments in alignment with the IFC framework.

Earlier in her career, from 1998 to 2004, Dr. Netanyahu held a faculty position at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, teaching Natural Resource Management and Econometrics. She later returned as a fellow lecturer, teaching Climate Change, Health & Emergency Preparedness. Additionally, she lectured at the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Regional Planning and Sustainability.

Dr. Netanyahu has also served on several boards and national advisory councils in Israel, including the National Oil Council and the National Company for the Protection of the Coastal Cliff. She holds a PhD in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park

Anna Piwowarska is a project manager in sustainable energy and international affairs, currently managing project "Energy Connectivity in Central Asia". She holds a MA in International Management from the Kyiv National Economic University and is an alumni of the Warsaw School of Economics. She works for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, previously worked for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as in several private companies, advising authorities and market players on energy market reforms, information technologies for utility companies, and other issues. The spheres of her expertise are: energy policy analysis, energy transition, digital transition, strategic management, project and programme management.

Aislu Dosanova serves as the Director of the Environmental Regulation Department of the Kazenergy Association. She oversees environmental policy and decarbonization issues in the oil, gas, and energy sectors, including initiatives to reduce methane emissions, as well as the activities of the Coordination Council on Ecology and Low-Carbon Development.

Previously, she held senior positions in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where she was responsible for the development and implementation of state policy in the areas of climate, environmental protection, water resources, and biodiversity conservation. She also led work on the assessment and coordination of strategic and program documents within the State Planning System.

She has experience working with complex government agendas and interagency coordination, including the development and advancement of regulatory approaches in the fields of sustainable development and energy transition.

She participates in fostering dialogue between the government and the energy sector on climate policy and carbon footprint reduction.

Education: Master of Public Administration, specialization in Management of Socio-Political Processes.

Mr. Rustam Abdullaev is a Head of the Department of Water and Energy Policy, Development of Science and Technologies at the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan

Mr. Abdullaev has over a decade of experience in water resources management, regional cooperation, and public policy development, with a strong focus on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate adaptation, and water-energy nexus issues.

Mr. Abdullaev has played a key role in advancing Tajikistan’s water sector reforms and contributed to the development and implementation of major national strategies and programs, including the Water Sector Reform Program (2016-2025) and National Water Strategy - 2040, as well as the improvement of water legislation.

At the regional and global levels, he has been actively engaged in the work of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) as a Head of the International Department (2020-2024) and supported high-level international processes, including the UN 2023 Water Conference. He has also contributed to mobilizing international partnerships and investments for water and environmental projects in Central Asia.

Mr. Abdullaev holds a degree in water engineering and has participated in specialized international training programs in Japan, Australia, and Nepal. He is fluent in Tajik, Russian, and English.

Alexandra Akkirman – Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Senior Director,

Coca-Cola Caucasus and Central Asia region; member of the executive team of the ESG committee of the European Business Association in Kazakhstan. Has over 20 years of experience in corporate communications and sustainability in global companies in the sectors of business intelligence, market research, telecommunications and consumer goods. She has worked in Russia, Cyprus, Turkey, and since 2020 has been based in Kazakhstan. Mrs. Akkirman joined The Coca-Cola Company in Istanbul in 2016 and is responsible for government and public relations, as well as for the implementation of sustainable development and social responsibility projects in the countries of the Central Asia and Caucasus region.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the philological faculty of Saint Petersburg State University (Russia) and a post-graduate degree in business administration from Bradford University (UK).