Opening Statement by UN Resident Coordinator Antje Grawe at the Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in the context of climate change Pre-COP Climate Week

Dear Deputy Minister,

Excellencies,  

distinguished guests  

and esteemed colleagues, 

It is an honor to join you today at this critical conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), taking place during Pre-COP Climate Week and just one month ahead of COP29 in Baku. As we gather here, the world is facing an unprecedented climate emergency. Climate change is no longer a distant, future concern—it is here now, and its impacts are being felt across every region, including here in Kyrgyzstan as just demonstrated in the short film displayed by the Ministry.

The climate emergency represents the most significant economic, social, and environmental challenge of our time. Climate-related disasters have almost doubled in the past 20 years, contributing to rising inequalities within and between nations. Tragically, those who contribute the least to global emissions are often the hardest hit by the devastating consequences of climate change.

In the last Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Progress Report, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted a fivefold increase in recorded disasters over the past 50 years, largely driven by human-induced climate change. Between 2015 and 2022, an average of 133 million people were affected by disasters annually—up from just 29 million annually between 2005 and 2014. These numbers underscore the urgent need for action, and Kyrgyzstan is no exception.

Kyrgyzstan, as the third most vulnerable country to climate change in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, is particularly sensitive to its effects. Shrinking glaciers, unpredictable weather patterns, and increasing climate-induced disasters such as floods, mudflows, and landslides have taken a heavy toll on the country. Between 2012 and 2019, these disasters accounted for 74% of all natural disasters in Kyrgyzstan, resulting in an average economic loss of USD 70 million annually. This year alone has already seen over 300 mudflows due to intense precipitation, causing loss of life, economic damage, and severe disruption to livelihoods.

The events of this past summer have only highlighted the pressing need to strengthen disaster preparedness and build resilience across all sectors of society. At the UN, we emphasize an inclusive approach to DRR, so that no one is left behind. Disasters disproportionately affect the most vulnerable—women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It is essential that their voices and needs are fully integrated into national and local DRR strategies.

In line with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, we are working to make early warning systems and disaster response accessible to all, including people with disabilities. Similarly, it is crucial that gender-sensitive approaches are embedded in every stage of disaster management, empowering women and girls as key actors in building resilient communities.

The UN remains committed in supporting Kyrgyzstan in advancing its disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts. Let me highlight just a few key initiatives in addition to our overall multi-stakeholder approach including the support of the United Nations Country Team with regards to the Mountain Agenda and climate change commitments: 

• With the support of UNDP and WFP, a comprehensive 2023-2026 Action Plan for the implementation of the 2030 National DRR Strategy has been developed, prioritizing improved disaster prediction and response, environmental education, and raising public awareness on sustainable consumption and production practices.

• AI-supported early warning systems are being deployed to monitor landslides and mudflows, as well as risks from outburst-hazardous lakes, the needs for which we have seen in the just displayed film of the Ministry of Emergency; 

• In 2023, WFP launched the first Climate Risk Insurance pilot project to enhance the resilience of vulnerable rural communities to extreme weather-related risks. This initiative is helping communities better prepare for and recover from climate-related shocks, building a more sustainable and secure future.

Dear participants,

Disaster risk reduction requires continuous collaboration at all levels—from local communities to international partnerships—and innovative solutions. From climate-smart agriculture, sustainable urban planning, to leveraging new technologies for better risk assessments, we must work together to further strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s preparedness. 

Looking forward, I am pleased to announce that towards the end of 2024, in reponse to the Ministers Request, we are planning to host a Conference on improving early warning and monitoring systems in Kyrgyzstan. This platform will bring together experts to identify gaps within the current system, explore best practices from Central Asia, the Caucasus, East Asia, and Europe, and formulate specific recommendations to enhance Kyrgyzstan’s monitoring and forecasting capabilities. This will be a key opportunity to further strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and build a more resilient future for all.

In conclusion, let me stress that effective disaster risk reduction requires multi-stakeholder cooperation at both the national and international levels. Together, we must continue to strive for better preparedness, reduce disaster risks, and safeguard the most vulnerable. 

Thank you.