The capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, has opened the Regional Environmental Summit 2026 (RES 2026) under the theme “A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future,” bringing together heads of state, international organizations, and financial institutions to address pressing environmental challenges, infotabigat.kz reports.
Organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan in partnership with the United Nations and other global institutions, the summit is designed as a major platform for developing coordinated regional responses to environmental issues in Central Asia.
The event focuses on strengthening cooperation in ecosystem protection, restoration, and the sustainable use of water, land, and biodiversity resources. Officials emphasize that these challenges require close collaboration between governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and the scientific and business communities.
Leaders from Central Asian countries, along with presidents and prime ministers from several other states, are attending the summit, alongside senior representatives of UN agencies and international organizations such as UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, WHO, OSCE, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and others. In total, delegations from 15 countries are participating, making the forum a key venue for bilateral and multilateral dialogue.
The summit agenda includes eight priority areas, ranging from climate transition and environmental risk resilience to sustainable resource management, pollution control, food security, and green skills development. A total of 58 events are scheduled, including high-level sessions, regional panels, and thematic roundtables.
Key outcomes are expected to include a ministerial dialogue on the Tehran Convention, with plans to advance a joint program for protecting the Caspian Sea ecosystem. Discussions are also underway on establishing an International Water Organization within the UN system.
Among the expected deliverables are a joint declaration titled “Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia” and a regional action plan with UN agencies for 2026–2030. In total, 51 documents are expected to be signed, including memorandums, joint statements, initiatives, and investment agreements.
Running alongside the summit is the RES 2026 EXPO, a green technologies exhibition featuring around 300 companies from 30 countries. Kazakhstan’s national pavilion highlights biodiversity conservation projects, including efforts to protect the Przewalski’s horse, saiga antelope, and Turanian tiger, as well as initiatives to restore the Northern Aral Sea and develop smart environmental technologies.
The exhibition will run from April 22 to 24 and is expected to attract around 20,000 visitors.