LocationsCentral Asia advances new climate investment pathways
April 22, 2026
A Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Investment Pathways in Central Asia was held during the Regional Environmental Summit, supported by the Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The event brought together governments from across the region, international financial institutions, and climate funds, providing a platform to discuss concrete climate investment solutions, reflecting a shared regional approach to advancing green finance and strengthening cooperation.
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nysanbayev emphasized:
“Central Asia faces shared climate challenges, and Kazakhstan is actively promoting regional cooperation to address them. The country is taking a systemic approach that combines policy development with creating enabling conditions for investment in nature-based solutions. It is particularly important that these efforts are supported by international partners. Contributions from donors and financial institutions accelerate implementation of priority initiatives and strengthen the institutional foundations for long-term sustainable development across the country and the wider region.”
In his opening remarks, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator Haoliang Xu highlighted the organization’s global role in supporting countries in moving from climate commitments to tangible investment solutions, emphasizing the importance of these efforts for Central Asia:
“Bridging the gap from climate commitments to practical investment solutions requires a fundamental shift in our collective approach. We must align environmental objectives with real-economy benefits, ensuring they serve as a direct catalyst for GDP growth. This is about fostering a new investment culture that transcends fragmented national agendas to build a robust pipeline of cross-border investments. Only through regional cooperation and shared de-risking mechanisms can we secure long-term prosperity for Central Asia.”
A critical role in mobilizing climate finance in Central Asia is played by the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest dedicated climate fund. Its portfolio spans projects and programmes in over 100 countries. In addition, GCF’s Readiness Programme supports countries in strengthening institutional capacities and developing long-term climate strategies. GCF Regional Director Thomas Eriksson noted:
“Many of these, as we have heard, are inherently regional challenges that require strong coordination across the region and collective approaches. And with this ministerial team in this region, I think we have a very strong foundation for that. Progress will depend on three things, in my mind: clear and prioritized pipelines; strong coordination, particularly between finance and sector ministries; and third, platforms that can mobilize public and private investments at scale.
This discussion is therefore essential. It's about aligning efforts, accelerating delivery, and shaping investments that will define Central Asia's climate and economic future. From the Green Climate Fund, we are ready, of course, to be the partner of choice in this effort in the region.”
During the session, ministers from Central Asian countries outlined priority areas for climate investments over the next 12 months. Participants emphasized the importance of building strong investment pipelines capable of attracting international financing and accelerating the region’s climate transition. Discussions focused on projects ready for implementation in the medium term, key barriers hindering their advancement, and the policy and institutional reforms required to unlock progress.
In the second part of the session, international financial institutions and climate funds including the Asian Development Bank, Eurasian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, outlined available financing instruments and opportunities to scale up climate investments.
The session confirmed the growing readiness of Central Asian countries to move towards a more systematic approach to climate investments from project development to integration into international financial mechanisms, including opportunities under the Paris Agreement. In conclusion, participants noted that further progress will depend on coordinated action by governments, international partners, and financial institutions to unfold the region’s ability to generate a steady pipeline of high-quality, investment-ready climate projects.
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