Development and adoption of a Regional Strategy on adaptation to climate change

The 5th Consultative Meeting of the Leaders of the Central Asian countries, which has become a good tradition, was traditionally held on September 14 in the city of Dushanbe in the spirit of good neighborliness and mutual understanding.

The heads of State frankly and in a friendly atmosphere exchanged views on the most pressing issues of the current regional agenda and discussed further prospects for fruitful cooperation in Central Asia.
At the same time, the analysis of speeches and initiatives put forward by the Presidents of the Central Asian States indicates intentions to further deepen regional cooperation to ensure stable economic growth and favorable living conditions for the peoples of the region.
In this regard, I would like to draw attention to the proposal of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev to develop a Regional strategy on adaptation to climate change.
This initiative is very relevant given that warming in Central Asia is happening faster than in other parts of the world. If since 1900 the global average temperature has increased by 1.1°C, then in our region the average annual temperature has added 1.6°C, that is, on average it has increased from 13.2°C to 14.8 °C. At the same time, according to forecasts, by 2050 the air temperature may increase by another 1.5° -3 °C.
As a result, over the past 50-60 years, the area of glaciers in Central Asia has decreased by 30%. According to the World Bank, water scarcity can lead to an 11% drop in GDP. 
According to ADB estimates, by 2050 the area of irrigated land in the region will be reduced by 25%. Due to land degradation in the region, annual losses amount to about $4.5 billion.
In these conditions, adaptation to the current climate changes becomes a pledge and an important condition for the further socio-economic development of the Central Asian states.
Taking into account the fact that all the countries of the region are located in the same geographical space and have similar problems related to climate change, the adoption of a regional strategy is a logical and practical step.
The development and adoption of the strategy will make it possible to establish a regional dialogue between countries, deeply analyze current challenges and develop comprehensive solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
It is also gratifying to note that climate issues are firmly entrenched in the annual agendas of the Consultative Meetings of the heads of Central Asian States.
It is worth recalling that currently the states of the region are actively working within the framework of the regional program "Green Agenda" for Central Asia approved last year at the 4th meeting of the presidents of the countries of the region.
I am confident that the implementation of the initiative of the head of Uzbekistan on the development and adoption of a regional strategy on adaptation to climate change will be another important step in strengthening cooperation between the countries of the region in this very urgent and relevant direction, and will allow Central Asia to adapt effectively to changing climatic conditions.

Zhasur Kodirov,
Leading Researcher 
International Institute of Central Asia