DECLARATION
of the Heads of State of Central Asia on regional cooperation in the field of ecology and sustainable development
“Environmental solidarity of Central Asia”
We, the Heads of State of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan,
guided by the principles of good-neighborliness, mutual respect and regional solidarity, and recognizing the vulnerability of Central Asia to environmental, water and climate challenges,
emphasizing the need for immediate joint action to effectively address the growing environmental, water and climate challenges that pose a threat not only to the entire region of Central Asia but also to global environmental sustainability,
highlighting the importance of implementing the «Concept for the development of regional cooperation «Central Asia - 2040»», the «Concept of regional security, stability and sustainable development in Central Asia», as well as the «Catalogue of security risks in Central Asia and measures for their prevention for 2026-2028»,
reaffirming our commitment and readiness to contribute to the goals and principles of the Rio Declaration on environment and development, the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement thereto, as well as other relevant international environmental instruments to which we are parties, taking into account national capacities and priorities,
taking into account the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly 78/147 of 19 December 2023, 80/144 of 15 December 2025, 79/143 of 12 December 2024, adopted on the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic and Italy, 71/222 of 21 December 2016, 77/158 of 14 December 2022, 78/278 of 23 April 2024, adopted on the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan, 80/3 of 15 October 2025 adopted on the initiative of Turkmenistan, 79/283 of 16 April 2025 adopted on the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of the Congo; resolution 6/3 of the United Nations Environment Assembly and the recommendations of the Global “One Water” Summit organized on the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan and France,
emphasizing the critical importance of preserving glaciers and mountain ecosystems as one of the strategically significant areas of regional cooperation, reflecting the vulnerability of ecosystems in Central Asia and the direct dependence of millions of people on glacial-fed rivers, and taking into account UNEA resolution 7/10 of 12 December 2025,
emphasizing the critical importance of preserving and restoring the ecosystems of the Aral and Caspian Seas, Lake Issyk-Kul and other water bodies, reflecting both ecosystem vulnerability and the direct dependence of millions of people on their condition,
noting the importance of existing centres and new initiatives aimed at establishing global, regional and coordination centres on combating desertification, glaciology and the resilience of mountain regions, in order to enhance the capacity of Central Asian states in the context of climate change,
recognizing the important role of the Central Asia office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in advancing efforts to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems, strengthening regional cooperation and supporting the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the implementation of international standards,
recognizing that mountain ecosystems of Central Asia represent an interconnected natural and climatic space, and play a key role in shaping water resources in the region, and reaffirming the importance of their protection,
noting the close interlinkage between the sustainable development of the region and the state of ecosystems with the rational and efficient use of water resources in the river basins of the region, and emphasizing the important role of water resources in ensuring the environmental, energy and food security of the countries of Central Asia, as well as the need for joint actions for their preservation, taking into account the interests of the countries of the Central Asian region,
reaffirming the commitment to cooperation in the field of sustainable agriculture and the restoration of land and landscapes in the countries of Central Asia, including through the development of carbon farming,
recognizing the need to strengthen the engagement of Central Asian countries in international processes and to develop approaches on issues affecting the interests of the region, taking into account national positions,
noting the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, as well as the exchange of knowledge, experience and technological solutions, and the active engagement of women, youth and volunteers in Central Asia who can contribute innovative ideas for environmental protection, as well as disaster risk reduction,
emphasizing current environmental challenges and their disproportionate impact on various vulnerable groups, and recognizing the need for systemic, cross-sectoral and inclusive solutions aimed at building resilient communities and fostering an environmental culture,
hereby adopt this Declaration:
- express our intention to intensify efforts to develop joint regional positions and solutions within multilateral environmental processes, including negotiations on climate change, glaciers, the mountain agenda, biodiversity, chemicals and waste management, and the fight against plastic pollution, improving air quality, land degradation and desertification, as well as to promote a consolidated position of the Central Asian countries at key international platforms.
- declare our intention to support and advance regional environmental and climate projects aimed at addressing regional challenges and strengthening sustainable development in Central Asia.
- taking into account the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding the possible establishment of an International Water Organization within the United Nations system, emphasize that further consideration of this issue should be carried out on the basis of broad international consensus within the relevant UN processes.
- welcome the development of the Interstate Programme for the Conservation of Water Resources of the Caspian Sea and the Caspian Environmental Initiative aimed at preventing its shallowing, biodiversity degradation and adverse socio-environmental consequences, and call on international partners to actively support this programme,
- express concern over the declining water levels and the shallowing of lakes in Central Asia, in particular lake Issyk-Kul, and call on international organizations and funds to support the development and implementation of projects for the restoration and conservation of these lakes,
- welcome the establishment of the Trust Fund for the Preservation of Glaciers under the auspices of the United Nations, pursuant to United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/158 of 14 December 2022, which calls upon all States, international financial institutions, and other partners to make voluntary contributions to its work,
- welcome the adoption of the Programme of Action for the implementation of regional environmental initiatives in partnership with the United Nations for 2026-2030 and support the implementation of projects included in the Regional Climate and Environmental Investment Portfolio, the adoption of the Framework document on nature-based solutions for Central Asia and the Framework programme for the development of partnerships in the circular economy in Central Asia, as well as the conduct of a Regional environmental performance review and the launch of the “Green School” regional platform,
- note the potential of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the field of environmental sustainability, including the development of approaches ensuring the interoperability of national systems, environmental monitoring and forecasting using artificial intelligence, geographic information systems and remote sensing, with the use of such technologies carried out strictly in accordance with the national legislation and internal policies of each country. In this context, support the establishment of a digital platform of best available techniques as a unified registry of technological solutions and expert practices.
- express support for developing a regional ecosystem of green technologies and startups in Central Asia, including through the establishment of a Regional climate technology centre for Central Asia, a Central Asian green acceleration centre, a Regional centre for the deployment of energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies, a Regional artificial intelligence centre, as well as on the basis of the Central Asian university for environmental and climate studies (Green University).
- welcome the development of protected natural areas, including transboundary ones, as well as mountain ecosystems in Central Asia, and coordinated programmes for the conservation of globally significant migratory wildlife species.
- welcome the initiative to establish an International fund for the conservation of rare species and biodiversity, as well as the expansion of regional and international cooperation on the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and rare and endangered species of flora and fauna in Central Asia.
- note the importance of consolidating regional efforts to combat land degradation and desertification, prevent sand, salt and dust storms, particularly in light of the deteriorating environmental situation in the Aral Sea region, as well as the “Awaza political declaration” adopted at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Turkmenistan from 5 to 8 August 2025,
- note the importance of fostering an environmental culture as a foundation for sustainable development in the region and welcome the proclamation of 24 May as the International day of the markhor, 23 October as the International snow leopard day and 21 March as the World day of glaciers, as well as initiatives by the parties to green the planet, including the proclamation of an International day of greening the planet and the organization of a regional tree-planting campaign in Central Asia on the eve of the International holiday of Nowruz.
- declare intention to intensify efforts to inventory and map sources of pollution, including tailings storage facilities, in order to ensure their safety, and to take joint measures to improve the state of the environment.
- reaffirm interest in further cooperation and the exchange of experience in the implementation of the Global Methane Pledge, taking into account national specificities.
- call for enhanced cooperation across all areas of international environmental and climate negotiation processes, including those related to the Rio Declarations, while strengthening and consistently advancing the common position of the countries of the region as landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and ensuring that their specific interests are duly taken into account in environmental and climate processes.
- emphasize the need to adopt comprehensive measures to prevent air pollution, including through the establishment of green belts around major cities and industrial centers in the region, as well as the development of joint programmes to mitigate the impacts of sand and dust storms in Central Asia.
- call on the international community to actively support the regional initiatives of Central Asia, including through strengthening institutional capacity, financing regional projects and facilitating technology transfer.
- call on the international community to support the expansion of access for Central Asian countries to international climate and environmental financing, including for both mountain regions and lowlands, the implementation of green projects, technology transfer and debt-for-nature swaps.
- welcome the initiative to convene at a high level the Fourth international high-level conference on the International decade for action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028, the 8th Assembly of the Global environment facility (GEF) and the international environmental exhibition “Eco Expo Central Asia 2026”, the World Forum on water-saving technologies in 2026, the Second global mountain summit “Bishkek+25” in 2027, the Second caspian environmental forum in 2027, the United Nations Water Conference in 2028, as important platforms for advancing regional cooperation and global environmental partnership.
- taking into account the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to declare 2026-2036 as the “Decade of practical actions for the rational use of water in Central Asia,” note the importance of consolidating efforts to ensure water conservation and the integrated use of water resources in Central Asia.
- reaffirm interest in engaging within the framework of the Early warning system in Central Asia: from regional cooperation to a sustainable future.
- reaffirm readiness to build cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Regional center for the sustainable development goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan and the United Nations Regional centre for preventive diplomacy for Central Asia, in order to promote mutually beneficial, long-term and region-wide sustainable development projects.
- express readiness to cooperate within the framework of the Central Asian Regional сentre for waste management in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan, the Project office for Central Asia on Climate change and green energy and the Central Asian Research center for ecology and the environment at “Green University,” with a view to accelerating regional actions aimed at facilitating the environmental transition in the region.
- note the discussion of the possibility of establishing a Council of Heads of environmental authorities of the Central Asian countries.
- welcome the holding of the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the founding countries of the International fund for saving the Aral sea in Astana in April 2026.
- welcome the proclamation of the International year of volunteers for sustainable development pursuant to United Nations General Assembly resolution 78/127 of 18 December 2023, and emphasize its importance for strengthening civic engagement, expanding the participation of youth and communities, and mobilizing volunteer initiatives in the fields of environmental protection, sustainable development and climate action in Central Asia.
This Declaration makes a significant contribution to strengthening partnership and mutual support among the States of Central Asia with a view to ensuring environmental sustainability, inclusive economic growth and a sustainable future for present and future generations.
Adopted in Astana on 22 April 2026.