Kyrgyzstan’s Youth Prepared a Statement on Climate Change

Youth from Central Asia and Afghanistan have prepared a statement on climate change and its impacts on Central Asia. The document was officially launched on September 5-6, 2024, at the Regional Conference of Youth and Children on Climate Change in Central Asia and Afghanistan (RCOY CA and Afghanistan 2024), which brought together more than 200 participants, including youth, children, national and regional leaders, and international partners, with guests from Canada, Mongolia, South Korea, and India.

The main demands of youth include involving their representation in decision-making, supporting educational programs on climate issues, and supporting youth initiatives, active participation in water management and development of international agreements on transboundary water resources, involving youth in glacier monitoring, pasture management, development of ecotourism and adaptation to climate change, recognition, and compensation of losses of vulnerable communities. As well as ensuring climate justice and empowering youth and women, involving women in decision-making, equal access to climate education and jobs, and developing health programs for women.

The statement of the youth of Central Asia and Afghanistan will be sent to the relevant government agencies and decision makers, as well as the document will be presented at the Youth Conference on Climate Change COY29, which will be held in Baku (Azerbaijan) in November this year.

During the RCOY CA and Afghanistan 2024 Conference, Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed his readiness to provide support from the state to the young generation to mitigate climate change. He noted: “I am pleased to welcome all the participants from Central Asia and Afghanistan. The most important topic for our country is mountains. We hope that you, the youth, will include the theme of “Mountains and Climate” in your document. Today we are meeting at a time when the leaders of our neighboring countries are warmly and brotherly supporting each other, each of our countries is going through a period of great strengthening and growth. COP29 will be held in Baku soon, I hope that many youth participants from Kyrgyzstan will go there, we hope for you”.

The event was also attended by Meder Mashiev, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

“Climate change is a challenge facing not only our region, but the whole world. Our high mountain glaciers are melting, more and more often we observe abnormal weather events, and the consequences of climate change in the form of prolonged drought or destructive mudslides cause huge damage to the economies of our countries. We need to act quickly and decisively to minimize damage and adapt to the new conditions,” Meder Mashiev stressed.

“The UNICEF Climate Risk Index for Children has shown that nearly 15 million children in Central Asia are vulnerable to climate change. We must ensure that climate action in every country is based on the needs of children and young people and that the realization of these rights is included in the long-term climate agenda,” said Samman Jung Thapa, UNICEF Representative in Kyrgyzstan.

UNDP supports youth initiatives and promotes greater youth involvement in climate action across the region: youth climate change conferences in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, the development of Nationally Determined Contributions and youth caravans. 

“Youth rights and participation are not just a matter for the future. Already today, young people have knowledge and skills that are critical in developing and implementing innovative solutions,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan.

Nurzat Abdyrasulova, President of Unison Group, emphasized that cities are becoming more vulnerable, and poverty makes people even more susceptible to climate shocks, adaptation measures are urgently needed.

“Young people are not only activists, but also future professionals and leaders who will shape climate policy and manage key processes. Your role in global climate processes has already been recognized by the world community, and we have an important event ahead of us - the Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 29), which will be held for the first time in the post-Soviet space in Baku. This is a unique opportunity for our region to draw the attention of the world community to our climate challenges,” said Nurzat Abdyrasulova, President of Unison Group.

Conference organizers: Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan, UNDP in Kyrgyz Republic, and Unison Group. They are joined by partners such as the Youth Development Institute, the Civic Engagement Center at AUCA and other organizations that actively promote climate initiatives.

Contact information: Asel Aitbaeva,  Unison Group PR Manager, +996 551 61 40 58

Conference Background:

The Regional Conference of Youth of Central Asia and Afghanistan 2024 (RCOY CA and Afghanistan 2024) is a key event aimed at raising awareness and engagement of youth in climate change action and sustainable development. The conference provides a platform for discussing climate challenges and developing effective solutions, promoting active youth participation in shaping climate policy.