Bishkek, 10 December 2025 — Today Bishkek hosted the National Conference dedicated to advancing climate education in schools across the Kyrgyz Republic. The event, organized by the Ministry of Education with support from UNDP, brought together representatives of government agencies, educators from all regions of the country, experts, and international organizations to discuss practical steps for improving the quality of climate education. 

The conference emphasized that climate education is a key tool for developing 21st-century competencies and requires a systemic approach: updating curricula, improving school infrastructure, enhancing teacher qualifications, and expanding professional communities and partnerships. Special attention was given to transforming the school environment—creating “green schools,” introducing sustainable practices, and integrating climate topics into extracurricular educational initiatives. 

The Deputy Minister of Education Albert Mambetkulov stated: “Climate education is an essential part of preparing the younger generation for life in a changing climate. Integrating climate topics into curricula, supporting teachers, and expanding the use of digital platforms and interactive solutions are among our priorities. The Ministry will continue to strengthen the climate education system so that every student gains relevant knowledge and skills for the future.”  

During the conference, educators and experts presented practical solutions and tools for developing climate literacy in schools. In this context, the importance of the interactive educational toolkit “Climate Box” was highlighted—a set of materials, illustrations, and practical tasks that help integrate climate topics into various subjects and foster systems thinking and design thinking among students. Participants noted that using the toolkit makes lessons more visual and engaging, simplifies the explanation of complex climate processes, and provides teachers with ready-to-use methodological solutions for both classroom and extracurricular activities. 

For more than ten years, UNDP has invested in developing and implementing innovative educational solutions. One such initiative is the Climate Box—a global UNDP project demonstrating how international cooperation and local adaptation enhance climate literacy among young people. Launched in 2014 as a pilot in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the program has proven effective and is now in its second, expanded phase—with digital tools, inclusive versions, and broader international collaboration. 

Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, noted: 

“Climate education is not only about knowledge but also about shaping values and skills for sustainable development. Kyrgyzstan is taking important steps in this direction, creating a system that provides every student, regardless of their abilities, with access to quality climate education. UNDP will continue to support these efforts by strengthening teacher capacity and improving school infrastructure.” 

Kyrgyzstan is not only adopting international experience—it is creating its own standards of inclusivity. The Kyrgyz Republic became the first country to adapt Climate Box materials into “easy-to-read” formats and Braille, expanding access for children with special educational needs. This experience demonstrates the country’s commitment to equal access to quality education and can serve as an example for other states in the region. 

At the end of the conference, participants adopted a resolution outlining strategic directions for developing climate education in the country. The document provides for further integration of climate topics into school curricula in line with the Education Development Program for 2021–2040, wider use of the Climate Box, and annual national meetings of educators to exchange experiences. The resolution also calls for strengthening methodological support for teachers, creating a digital platform for sharing practices, and initiatives to establish “green schools” that integrate sustainable development principles into the learning process and school environment. 

The project “Climate Education for Advancing SDGs and Climate Action” is implemented with support from the UNDP Russian Trust Fund.