On April 23, 2026, Session 2.3. “Economic Dimensions of Water–Energy Cooperation in Central Asia under Climate Change” of the Central Asia Climate Change Conference will be held at the Congress Center (Turkestan Hall).
The event will take the form of a panel discussion with keynote presentations and will bring together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, and the expert community.
Reportedly, traditional interdependence between upstream and downstream countries in the water–energy sphere is increasingly influenced by new factors, including changing river flow regimes, more frequent droughts, seasonal fluctuations in hydropower generation, and growing electricity demand. These developments increase economic risks and require a shift toward more resilient and coordinated resource management models.
World Bank data indicate that, under current trends, electricity demand in Central Asia could triple by 2050, while regional electricity trade remains limited at around 3% of total consumption. In this context, particular attention will be given to the REMIT program, which aims to establish a regional electricity market, expand cross-border trade, and support the integration of renewable energy sources.
During the session, experts will present regional and international experience in economic mechanisms for cooperation, including benefit and cost-sharing models, approaches to compensating seasonal imbalances, and examples of transboundary projects. The discussion will include representatives of energy and water authorities from Central Asian countries, as well as international specialists.
Recall, CACCC-2026 will take place within the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, April 22-24, 2026.
More information on the program, speakers, and Zoom link:
https://carececo.org/main/activity/mettings/caccc-2026/
The Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2026), organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in collaboration with the governments of the region and international partners, will take place within the framework of the Regional Environmental Summit (RES) in Astana.
CACCC-2026 is hosted by CAREC as part of the Resilient Landscapes in Central Asia (RESILAND CA+) Program of the World Bank, in cooperation with the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), the World Bank, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with additional valuable support from other programs and partners.
CACCC-2026 Organizational Contacts:
Dilovarsho Dustzoda, Advisor to the CAREC Executive Director – ddustzoda@carececo.org
Azamat Kauazov, CAREC Programme Manager on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy – cacip@carececo.org
Vladimir Grebnev, CAREC Regional Climate Change Specialist – cc_specialist@carececo.org