CAREC Institute Participates in Green Development Forum of SCO Countries
On July 8, 2024, the CAREC Institute participated in the Green Development Forum of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries in Qingdao, the People’s Republic of China (the PRC). This prestigious two-day event gathered over 350 guests from the PRC and other SCO countries to discuss green development strategies. The forum featured a main event and three parallel sub-forums, with keynote speeches delivered by senior representatives from environmental authorities, entrepreneurs, experts, scholars, and international organizations, all focusing on promoting green and low-carbon development.
Heads of environmental protection ministries from CAREC member countries, including the PRC, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan, shared their countries’ experiences and practices in promoting green development. They also discussed their insights and thoughts on enhancing exchanges and cooperation in the field of environmental protection within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two of the CAREC Institute, spoke at the “Technological Innovation for Green and High-Quality Development” sub-forum with a presentation titled “Catching up for Sustainable Development.” In his presentation, Dr. Akizhanov highlighted the severe implications of climate inaction across the Water-Agriculture-Energy Nexus, noting that 70% of regional developmental challenges stem from water scarcity. He revealed that climate inaction costs Central Asia $76 billion, or 22% of its GDP.
Dr. Akizhanov outlined key policy actions necessary for sustainable development, including modernizing infrastructure, promoting crop diversification, leveraging renewable energy, and establishing a regional climate change cooperation framework. He stressed that embracing disruptive technologies and mitigating social impacts are essential steps towards achieving these goals.
The CAREC Institute remains committed to supporting green and sustainable development initiatives and looks forward to contributing to meaningful knowledge products and services to the CAREC member countries.