Eight Key Themes Set for 2026 Regional Environmental Summit in Astana

The organizational framework and eight core thematic directions have been finalized for the Regional Environmental Summit (RES) scheduled to take place in Astana from April 22 to 24, 2026. The summit's architecture includes two meetings of heads of state, over 40 high-level sessions with ministers, and an international green technology exhibition.

The summit is being organized by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources with the support of the United Nations. The approved eight main thematic areas for discussion are:

1. Adaptation and economic resilience to environmental and natural risks;
2. Combating air pollution and waste management;
3. Mechanisms for achieving environmental ambitions;
4. Supporting the climate transition;
5. Food security and regional ecosystems;
6. A fair and inclusive regional transition;
7. Sustainable management of natural resources;
8. Environmental and digital competencies for a sustainable future.

The high-level program will feature two key events at the head-of-state level: a plenary session and a meeting of the Council of Heads of Founder States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. Distinguished participants expected at the plenary include UN Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Ramsar Convention Secretary General Musonda Mumba.

The summit will bring together environment ministers from Central Asia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Slovakia; executive directors of UN agencies; secretaries-general of international organizations such as CIS, ISESCO, SCO, CICA, OTS, ECO; representatives from international financial institutions like the World Bank; as well as leaders from regional bodies including RECCA and ITU.

A series of high-level ministerial sessions are planned. These include meetings between EU+Central Asia ministers on ecology, water & energy; SCO+UNEP environment ministers; OTS environment ministers; CICA environment ministers; ECO environment ministers; Central Asian water resource ministers; WHO with Central Asian health ministers; UNICEF with Central Asian education ministers; and a high-level dialogue on Caspian Sea issues. A Central Asian Climate Change Conference will also be held.

Concurrently with the summit's political discussions, an International Green Technology Exhibition will be hosted at the Expo International Exhibition Centre. Five Central Asian countries plus Azerbaijan have been invited to present national pavilions. The event is expected to feature around 160 companies from more than 20 nations.