"Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit: A Turning Point for Environmental Protection?"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
CAP Policy Brief
Central Asia Program - George Washington University
19 March, 2026
Published: https://centralasiaprogram.org/publications-all/research-updates/kazakhstans-regional-ecological-summit-a-turning-point-for-environmental-protection/
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.
