LocationsYoung people of Kyrgyzstan join the fight against the climate crisis: results of the climate caravan
July 1, 2025
A group photo with the event's participants
Bishkek, 1 July 2025 — On July 1, the final event of the Youth Climate Caravan 2025 initiative was held in Bishkek. It is aimed at actively involving young people in shaping the country's climate agenda. The forum became an important step towards revising the national commitments to reduce emissions - NDC 3.0.
The event was held in a hybrid format, bringing together more than 50 participants - representatives of government agencies, international organizations, civil society, the expert community and youth associations from all regions of Kyrgyzstan. The forum was organized under the coordination of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the technical support of UNDP within the framework of the global Climate Promise initiative, where one of the donors is the Government of Japan. UNICEF, UNITAR, UNISON Group and LCOY Kyrgyzstan acted as partners.
For several months, the Youth Climate Caravan covered all seven regions of the country, conducting trainings, dialogues and thematic sessions. Young participants discussed current climate challenges, improved their climate literacy and formulated proposals that will now become part of the updated climate policy of Kyrgyzstan. These proposals are aimed at achieving the goals of the National Development Program until 2030 and fulfilling the country's international commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The forum presented the results of the Youth Climate Caravan and LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2025, as well as recommendations for including youth initiatives in NDC 3.0. Participants discussed successful practices of youth participation in climate policy at the national and regional levels, as well as approaches to strengthening interaction and partnership.
"Climate change issues have long gone beyond the purely environmental agenda. Today, this is a question of justice, intergenerational balance, economic sustainability, food and water security. And we must solve these challenges together, combining the efforts of all generations. That is why I am especially proud to note that the Youth Climate Caravan has not become a one-time event, but a part of a much larger process - building sustainable and inclusive climate governance in our country," said Kubat Kaseinov, First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Kubat Kaseinov, First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic
UNDP and UNICEF support youth initiatives and promote greater youth engagement in climate action across the Central Asian region — from national and regional conferences to the development of NDCs and Youth Climate Caravans. Such formats provide young people with knowledge, skills and practical tools to influence national strategies and programmes. This contributes to the development of leadership potential, strengthening public institutions and the formation of more inclusive and sustainable climate policies.
“Children and youth are often the most vulnerable to climate challenges — not because they lack power or knowledge, but because they are particularly sensitive to changes in the field of climate change. We strive to help ensure that their voices are heard and form the basis for management decisions,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic
“In Kyrgyzstan, more than 2.4 million children and young people are exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution, a clear signal that climate change is already threatening their health, education and future. That is why UNICEF is working to ensure that children and young people are not only protected, but also empowered to influence the climate policies that affect their lives. Their voices and priorities must be reflected in NDC 3.0, and we are proud to support their participation,” said UNICEF Representative in Kyrgyzstan Samman Jung Thappa.
Samman Jung Thappa, UNICEF Representative in Kyrgyzstan
"It is thanks to initiatives such as the Caravan that the youth of Kyrgyzstan are increasingly becoming full participants in the national and international dialogue. However, today we also see challenges: a lack of climate education and STEM, a lack of sustainable support for youth initiatives. These issues were raised in the regions of our country. And they are reflected in the recommendations that the youth prepared for the NDC 3.0. Ahead is the implementation of the recommendations, and most importantly, the construction of a sustainable, fair and climate-safe Kyrgyzstan together with the youth," shared UNISON Group President Nurzat Abdyrasulova.
"Climate change is not a hypothesis about the future, but a reality that already affects the security and social stability of all regions of Kyrgyzstan. Within the framework of the Youth Climate Caravan and LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2025, young people, relying on their own experience of life in vulnerable regions, proposed solutions - from adaptation to climate education. These proposals should be taken into account along with other voices - in accordance with our experience, knowledge and contribution to the common future," said Aidana Shokenova, representative of LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2025.
"Participation in the Youth Climate Caravan was not just an experience for me, but an opportunity to be heard. I sincerely believe that the voice of youth and children should be heard along with others in the decision-making process. We are not just observers - we are part of the decisions and want to be included in the climate future of Kyrgyzstan," said Alibek Alisherov, a participant of the Youth Climate Caravan 2025, a 9th-grader of Bishkek Secondary School No. 62.
The final event became an important point in consolidating youth proposals that will be taken into account when forming the Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), reflecting Kyrgyzstan's efforts to achieve the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative demonstrated that the youth of Kyrgyzstan are ready not only to talk about the climate, but also to actively participate in decision-making that determines the future of the country.
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