Central Asia - a Region of Elevated Climate Risks
February 27, 2026
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Central Asia is warming faster than the global average: since the 1960s, the average temperature has increased by 1.5–2°C.
Over the past decades, the region has lost around 30% of its glacier mass. The glaciers of the Tien Shan and Pamir provide up to 40% of river flow during the dry season.
By 2050, water availability may decrease by 15–20%, increasing pressure on agriculture, energy systems, and the broader economy.
Key regional risks include:
• water scarcity
• more frequent droughts and dust storms
• vulnerability of the agricultural sector
• rising climate migration
In response to growing climate risks, adaptation has been identified as one of the priority areas of the Regional Environmental Summit 2026.