In April 2026, a Regional Environmental Summit will be held in Astana with the support of the UN.

The initiative to hold the summit was announced by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023


From April 22 to 24, 2026, a Regional Environmental Summit will take place in Astana, gathering around 1,500 participants. Among the delegates will be representatives from the governments of the region's countries, international organizations, the expert community, business, and civil society. This information was published by The Astana Times, referencing the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. The main goal of the summit is to develop regional solutions to overcome climate and environmental challenges in cooperation with the UN.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, first announced the summit during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023, and its significance was reaffirmed during the 80th session of the General Assembly in 2025.

The RES 2026 summit will be supported by international partners such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Energy Agency, and other global and regional institutions. The UN approved this initiative in General Assembly resolution 78/147 on December 19, 2023, emphasizing the importance of regional solidarity in addressing environmental issues in Central Asia.

Support for the summit has been confirmed in several multilateral documents, including the Karabakh Declaration of the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States in July 2024, the joint statement of the sixth consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia in August 2024, and the Bishkek Declaration of the eleventh summit of the Organization of Turkic States in November 2024.

In 2025, the Regional Center of the UN for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan was opened at the Astana International Forum, with the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which also contributed to the international recognition of this initiative.

The summit will focus on developing practical solutions that reflect a regional approach to climate and environmental challenges. Important issues such as the tragedy of the Aral Sea, symbolizing environmental degradation, and the declining level of the Caspian Sea will be central to the discussions.

Key priorities of the summit include identifying Central Asia's needs for green financing, supporting climate change adaptation, promoting low-carbon technologies, and strengthening the region's environmental resilience. The summit will also serve as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among governments, academic institutions, and the private sector.

One of the expected outcomes of RES 2026 is a joint declaration by the heads of state of Central Asia on regional cooperation in ecology and sustainable development, as well as the approval of a Regional Action Program with UN agencies for 2026–2030, which will include the implementation of initiatives on the summit's thematic areas and the launch of new environmental projects.

The summit's agenda covers eight interconnected thematic areas, including supporting the climate transition through emission reductions, increasing energy efficiency, and developing renewable energy; adapting to climate and natural risks; ensuring food security and protecting ecosystems; as well as sustainable management of natural resources, including the water systems of the Aral and Caspian Seas.

Also in focus will be combating air pollution and developing waste management systems using circular economy principles; mechanisms for achieving environmental goals, including green financing, technology transfer, and market instruments of the Paris Agreement; a fair and inclusive transition with an emphasis on job creation, retraining, gender equality, and support for vulnerable groups; as well as developing environmental and digital competencies, including environmental education, digital solutions, and the use of artificial intelligence in resource management.

Photo www