UN: Climate change could significantly impact economic development in Central Asia

The consequences of the climate crisis, in particular rising global temperatures, could significantly impact economic development in Central Asia, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his video message to the participants of the plenary session of the first EU-Central Asia summit, Report informs.

"Failure to take timely measures to slow down global temperature changes in Central Asia could significantly impact the region's future economic development," Guterres said.

The UN secretary-general stressed that without global action, the impacts of climate change will worsen, threatening food supply chains and water supplies.

"The Aral Sea tragedy is a clear example of how environmental destruction harms people and communities," he said, calling for cooperation between Central Asian countries and the global community.

Guterres stressed the importance of implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C noting that the G20 must take a leading role in this process.

In addition, the secretary-general called on all countries to act together to ensure that commitments to finance the fight against climate change are met, recalling the need to achieve the financing target of $1.3 trillion. “Developed countries must fulfill their pledge to allocate at least $40 billion per year for adaptation,” Guterres said.

According to him, it is necessary to strengthen support for the countries most vulnerable to climate change to help them cope with losses and damages. The European Union actively supports the Central Asian region in the transition to a green economy and in issues related to climate change, he concluded.