The Central Asian Climate Change Сonference (CACCC-2026) has kicked off in Astana — one of the key events of the Regional Environmental Summit 2026, bringing together representatives of governments, international organizations, and the expert community from across the region. The conference is taking place from April 22 to 24 and is setting the tone for further climate dialogue in Central Asia.
Today, CACCC is no longer just a platform for discussions, but a practical tool for regional cooperation. It is here that approaches are shaped which directly influence how Central Asian countries adapt to climate change, pursue low-carbon development, and mobilize the necessary resources.
Holding the conference at this moment is particularly symbolic. The region has completed the update of its national climate commitments (NDC 3.0) and has moved into the implementation phase — a more complex, but also more consequential stage. The focus is no longer on plans, but on concrete actions: implementing adaptation measures, developing resilient sectors, and strengthening the climate resilience of economies.
Additional attention to these issues has increased following the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, where a key focus was placed on expanding access to finance and launching support mechanisms for countries most vulnerable to climate risks. For Central Asia, these decisions are of particular importance in light of intensifying climate change.
This is precisely why CACCC-2026 is becoming a platform where global agreements are translated into a regional context — with discussions focusing on concrete projects, investments, and joint actions capable of making a real difference in practice.
A delegation from the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan is participating in the conference, headed by Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.
The delegation includes representatives of key government bodies and organizations of the country, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the State Committee for Water Management of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, as well as the Caspian Sea Institute, and representatives of state media, non-governmental, and international organizations.
“Today, it is especially important for the region to speak with one voice on climate issues. CACCC-2026 allows us not only to exchange experiences, but also to develop practical solutions that will work in our countries,” noted Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.
The scale of the event and the high level of representation underscore the growing role of Central Asia in the global climate agenda. Holding CACCC-2026 within the framework of the Regional Environmental Summit 2026 further underscores the importance of dialogue. It opens new opportunities for joint action toward a sustainable future for the region.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov – Director of the CAREC Project office in Turkmenistan,