On April 23, 2026, a panel session of the Central Asia Climate Change Conference “Strengthening Regional Actions on Methane Reduction in Central Asia” will take place at the Congress Center (Hall “Turkestan”).
The event is organized within the framework of the CA CBMER (Central Asia Capacity Building for Methane Reduction) project, implemented by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) with financial support from the Global Methane Hub (GMH), and will be held as part of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES-2026).
The session will bring together representatives of relevant ministries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, national oil and gas companies, as well as international organizations and experts.
Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas after CO₂, but its global warming potential is 28 to 80 times higher, while its atmospheric lifetime is shorter. This makes methane emissions reduction one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to slow climate change in the short term. For Central Asia, a region with major oil and gas resources and significant challenges in waste management and agriculture, addressing methane emissions is essential for meeting commitments under the Paris Agreement.
During the session, participants will discuss national priorities and regional approaches to methane reduction, including the development of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems and regulatory frameworks. The agenda will also highlight the economic potential of methane capture and utilization projects, as well as opportunities for mobilizing international financing.
The session aligns with the priorities of RES-2026, including supporting the climate transition, air pollution control and waste management, mechanisms for achieving environmental goals, and a just and inclusive regional transition. The event is expected to gather 50–70 participants and will be held in a hybrid format with simultaneous interpretation in Russian and English.
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