The need for further integration and unification of the Central Asian region, stated the Director of the Country Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia in the Republic of Kazakhstan Nuray Satimov at the round table "Results of COP28 and recommendations for achieving carbon neutrality in the Republic of Kazakhstan".
He noted that the Central Asian Pavilion at the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai (UAE) well demonstrated the region's integration that was noted by the world community.
The round table was organized on 26-27 January 2024 by the Green Academy REC together with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the SECCA (EU) and Tetra Tech (USAID) project.
It gathered representatives of government agencies, donors and IFIs, international and national experts, NGOs and businesses.
Let's recall that in November 2023, at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to fulfilling national climate obligations and implementing the Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality until 2060.
During the event, moderated by Dr Bakhyt Yessekina, the following areas were discussed:
- Improving monitoring, reporting and certification of emissions in the context of the introduction of CBAM;
- Prospects for the development of renewable energy sources and ETS, taking into account auctions;
- Improving energy efficiency in the industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Establishment of the National Office under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and climate finance;
- Improving the monitoring and accounting of methane emissions;
- Decarbonization of the agricultural sector.
Vice Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Abzal Abdykarimov noted in his welcoming speech that Kazakhstan is committed to the global climate agenda.
The Head of the EU Delegation for Cooperation in Kazakhstan Johannes Bauer commented on Kazakhstan's statement at the climate conference in Dubai, including accession to the methane emission reduction protocol. He stressed the importance of further development of the emissions trading system in Kazakhstan and the EU's intention to support the country in this direction.
Deputy Chairman of the Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Turar Zholmagambetov outlined the goals of Kazakhstan in energy efficiency, acquainted with the work done and plans for the near future.
Representative of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alma Zhukenova informed about the situation in the renewable energy sector, noting its positive development dynamics. She also provided information on the measures taken to develop net consumers in Kazakhstan and how the Government of Kazakhstan supports those who intend to develop renewable energy sources.
The speech of the representative of the Ministry of Trade and Integration Iskander Khamitov on the issues of low-carbon development standards caused a heated discussion. All participants noted the need to intensify work in this direction.
The scientific community noted the need for more action and called on partners to support them by providing technologies to reduce emissions or adapt to climate change.
The topic of the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the results of the UNFCCC COP28 on this issue got great attention. Askar Ementayev, Managing Director of Zhasyl Damu JSC, informed us about the measures taken to implement the adopted rules of Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.