Kazakhstan is preparing for the 2026 Regional Environmental Summit in Astana
The head of the UN Environment Programme highly appreciates Kazakhstan's initiatives in sustainable development and the environment, DKNews.kz reports.
A meeting between Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Office in Nairobi, Barlybay Sadykov, and Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), took place at UN Environment headquarters.
During the meeting, the Ambassador briefed his counterpart on the measures Kazakhstan is taking at the national, regional, and international levels to protect the environment and address the impacts of climate change. The Clean Kazakhstan initiative, measures to preserve biodiversity in Kazakhstan, addressing the Caspian and Aral Seas, water resources, and participation in international forums and initiatives, including the One Water Vision, were discussed in detail. It was noted that environmental protection and addressing the consequences of climate change are among the priorities in Kazakhstan's domestic and foreign policy, and Astana will always actively engage with international partners, including the UN, to find balanced solutions and implement effective environmental measures.
The parties discussed current issues of Kazakhstan's interaction with UNEP, plans for developing environmental cooperation, and the participation of the Kazakh delegation in UNEP events.
Particular attention was paid to discussing cooperation with UNEP in the preparation and holding of the Regional Environmental Summit (RES), which will be held in Astana in 2026 at the initiative of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. An agreement was reached on close cooperation in preparing for the Summit, including the development of a number of draft documents and regional initiatives to be adopted during the Regional Environmental Council.
Furthermore, the participants discussed the participation of the Kazakh delegation in the 7th session of the UN Environment Assembly, which will be held in December 2025 in Nairobi, and the hosting of Kazakhstan's event on "Water, Climate, and Environmental Sustainability" during the Assembly.
I. Andersen praised Kazakhstan's efforts and initiatives to address environmental issues, expressed gratitude for Kazakhstan's support for UNEP's activities, and assured that UNEP stands ready to provide expert assistance in implementing Kazakhstan's initiatives and projects in the field of ecology and sustainable development. She particularly noted Kazakhstan's leadership in promoting sustainable development issues and the opening of the UN Center for Sustainable Development for Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as measures to conserve biodiversity, including the saiga population.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue cooperation on issues of mutual interest in the environmental field, support for the implementation of environmental projects and the holding of events at various levels, and a willingness was expressed to consider further joint measures to expand Kazakhstan's cooperation with the UN Environment Programme.