Opening Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Antje Grawe at the National Climate Dialogue: Presentation of NDC 3.0 and Preparation of National Positions for COP30

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. Edil Baisalov, Special Envoy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mrs Dinara Kemelova, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Technical Supervision, Mr. Meder Meshiev, Ambassadors, partner, UN colleagues, dear Alexandra,

Allow me first to extend the UN system's sincere congratulations to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the adoption of the updated NDC 3.0. A special appreciation goes to the Minister of Natural Resources and his team who have worked tirelessly over more than a week on this update, involving the entire Cabinet of Ministers, civil society, youth, academia and development partners. We are very proud of partnering with you!

This milestone reflects Kyrgyzstan's ambition to make her contribution to achieving the commitments made under the Paris Agreement, and is the result of an inclusive, consultative, and nationally owned process. I also commend the Government for having presented these new commitments at the High-Level Event on Climate Action on 24 September in New York, convened by the UN Secretary-General ahead of COP 30 – a visible Excellencies, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. Edil Baisalov, Special Envoy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mrs Dinara Kemelova, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Technical Supervision, Mr. Meder Meshiev, Ambassadors, partner, UN colleagues, dear Alexandra, 

As the international community now turns toward COP 30, two global priorities highlighted by the UN Secretary-General at the event remain particularly relevant:

First, to keep the 1.5 °C goal of the Paris Agreement within reach through decisive emission reductions.

Second, to advance climate justice, ensuring that finance reaches countries most in need—rapidly and fairly.

These priorities frame not only the global debate but also the practical challenges of translating ambition into implementation.

In New York, more than 100 members states came together, including Kyrgyzstan whose delegation was led by the President. So far, 122 countries, accounting for 80% of global emissions, have registered their emission targets with UNFCCC. G35 countries still need to submit their NDCs formally, and there is a concern that accumulated commitments might fall short of the Secretary-General’s call.

In this wider context, Kyrgyzstan’s new NDC 3.0 sends a strong message. It demonstrates ambition aligned with global trends while responding to national realities. Although Kyrgyzstan contributes only about 0.03 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, economic growth and the ambitions of the National Development Programme 2030 – including re-industrialization, agricultural expansion, investments in mining, and regional connectivity – are expected to increase emissions in the years ahead. Investments in renewables, energy efficiency, green economy, and biodiversity and ecosystem protection, which was just highlighted by Mr Baisalov when he spoke of the objective of planning 800 million trees, will therefore be essential to sustain growth and protect natural capital whilst reducing emissions.

Equally important, NDC 3.0 recognizes that a low-carbon transition can only succeed if it is just and inclusive. This is particularly relevant for Kyrgyzstan, where mountain communities, agricultural workers, and low-income households are already confronting both climate impacts and economic shifts. The updated NDC introduces, for the first time, a dedicated chapter on just transition, highlighting measures for green jobs, reskilling, and social protection. This people-centred approach ensures that climate action supports livelihoods and social cohesion while driving sustainable economic transformation.

The United Nations system is proud to have supported the Government in this achievement. Under the technical leadership of UNDP and my overall coordination, ten UN agencies worked in close partnership with national counterparts to deliver a coherent and integrated document. This collaboration helped connect mitigation, adaptation, social inclusion, and biodiversity, aligning the NDC 3.0 with the National Development Programme 2030 and other key sectoral strategies. My huge thanks to the teams from UNDP and the other UN entities.

Looking ahead, I am suggesting focus on three key areas:

1. Coordinated implementation – effective delivery will require breaking silos. Climate action should be fully integrated into sector strategies such as the Green Economy Programme, agricultural and energy policies, and biodiversity action plans, supported by strong institutional alignment at all levels. The newly created Coordinating Council on Environment, Climate Change and the Development of the Green Economy, chaired by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers can play an important role in this regard.

2. Financing for transformation and innovation – mobilizing public, private, and international resources, including climate and development finance, to support the energy transition, scale up proven pilots and innovative solutions including carbon trading, and strengthen monitoring systems. As mentioned by Mr. Baisalov, the role of international partners will be essential for Kyrgyzstan to achieve the targets, and I would like to echo his call on partners to facilitate access to climate finance and innovative tools. Also the role of both the private and the banking sector in this regard cannot be overestimated. Their inclusion in platforms supporting the coordinated implementation of the NDC would be beneficial.

3. People-centred delivery – engaging communities, youth, women, and local actors in implementation so that innovation and ownership take root across society.

The United Nations, together with international financial institutions, bilateral other partners, will continue to provide integrated support for these priorities—helping translate Kyrgyzstan’s climate ambition into tangible, inclusive, and sustainable results so the country can achieve its most ambitious targets.

Thank you.