President Tokayev Addresses World Climate Summit in Baku

President Tokayev was the first to address the plenary session following the summit’s opening, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s commitment to the global climate agenda and stressing the importance of international cooperation to combat climate change, TuraNews.kz reports.

He highlighted Kazakhstan’s ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and underscored the need for accessible funding and advanced technologies to reach these goals. Tokayev emphasized that under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), particular support should be given to regions most vulnerable to climate impacts, including landlocked developing countries.

“Although Central Asia contributes just 1% of global emissions, it faces considerable climate challenges,” Tokayev noted. He advocated for leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and satellite monitoring, to enhance climate response and optimize water and land resource management in the region.

Highlighting sustainable agriculture, Tokayev pointed out Kazakhstan’s 200 million hectares of agricultural land as an ideal platform for “carbon farming” practices, which reduce emissions and improve soil health. He extended an invitation for interested partners to explore Kazakhstan’s agricultural potential.

Kazakhstan, a major supplier of uranium, plays a pivotal role in the global transition to low-carbon nuclear energy. Tokayev noted the public support for a new nuclear power plant, confirmed in a recent national referendum, and emphasized the country’s commitment to ensuring the project’s safety through collaborations with international technology leaders.

Touching on global water issues, Tokayev pointed out that climate change severely impacts the water cycle, with water-related disasters comprising over 80% of natural disasters globally. He recounted Kazakhstan’s recent experience with unprecedented floods and announced the implementation of a comprehensive risk management system. To tackle water challenges, Kazakhstan, in partnership with France, will host the One Water Summit this December, where international stakeholders will discuss global water management solutions. Tokayev also expressed concern over the Caspian Sea’s future and voiced support for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s proposal to establish an expert group from Caspian nations. Additionally, he outlined Kazakhstan’s ongoing initiatives to protect the Aral Sea.

In closing, President Tokayev thanked President Aliyev and Azerbaijan for organizing the summit and reiterated Kazakhstan’s commitment to a fair and transparent climate agenda. He affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to work alongside international partners in addressing global climate challenges.

The summit will also feature speeches from leaders of over 80 nations and heads of international and regional organizations.