"Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit: A Turning Point for Environmental Protection?"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Central Asia Program - George Washington University
26 March, 2026
Central Asia faces a range of environmental challenges, including extreme temperature fluctuations, water insecurity, environmental degradation, deforestation, air pollution, and melting glaciers. The legacy of the Soviet Union’s nuclear tests also continues to affect the region. Climate change is exacerbating many of these challenges even as governments pursue a green energy transition. The loss of the Aral Sea, which nowadays resembles a series of interconnected lakes, is a grim reminder of the consequences of inaction or insufficient environmental protection; today, the Aral is estimated to be just 10% of its 1950s size.
Addressing these issues is critical not only for environmental protection but also for sustaining Central Asia’s growing population and expanding international connectivity. However, the region’s environmental challenges are highly complex, as they often intersect with regional geopolitics; moreover, some regional governments do not appear to prioritize environmental protection. To address these issues in a multilateral setting, Kazakhstan will host the high-level Regional Ecological Summit (RES-26) from April 22-24. The summit must be more than another forum for discussion and diplomatic photo opportunities. Astana must take a leadership role by convincing its neighbors across the Greater Central Asia region and international partners to focus more on environmental protection, particularly water security, for the sake of not just Kazakhstan but the entire region.
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