Climate change in times of pandemic (COVID-19) in Central Asia: a series of online webinars
Third Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2020)
2020 is a critical year for the countries around the world and Central Asia in particular, to start fulfilling the promise of the Paris Agreement as well as to address the Sustainable Development Goals. As many of the elements of the Agreement are in place and already functioning, the implementation and rising ambitions to the most extent depends on proactive actions of multiple stakeholders.
Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) significantly affected the socio-economic situations of all countries of the world. The reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions due to the cancellation of air communication and temporary closure of industrial enterprises benefited the environment over the recent months. However, whether the environment enjoys this momentum depends on multiple factors (global disease trends, political and economic constraints and perspectives, regional cooperation, etc.). Meanwhile, it is necessary to draw on the lessons learned now, with critical examples of how climate change initiatives were impacted by pandemic. These lessons will help the countries of Central Asia to de-risk and properly plan further actions and consider new collaborative opportunities.
The Third Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2020) will be conducted online and take place on 19-23 October 2020.[1] The Conference is organized under the framework of the “Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for the Aral Sea Basin” (CAMP4ASB) and is a continuation of the World Bank’s initiative on climate change knowledge and regional information exchange in Central Asia launched in 2013. The events are called to foster a regional dialogue on climate change adaptation and mitigation, exploring opportunities for joint actions among Central Asia States and other key stakeholders.
The main objective of the conference is to strengthen a regional dialogue on climate change and sustainable development by promoting information and knowledge exchange in Central Asia. Other task of the Conference is to raise awareness of the countries in the region on lessons, which addressing climate change, have been learned in times of pandemic (COVID-19).
The CACCC-2020 is to be resulted in the outcome document, which will track progress and lay down a basis for the joint regional vision of the Central Asian countries on climate actions in times of a new reality. A so-called statement is supposed to be introduced at one of the sessions of the UNFCCC 26th Conference of the Parties (CoP), which will reflect on the joint needs of the countries on finance, technology transfer, capacity building and knowledge.
The conference will bring together experts and practitioners from governmental and non-governmental agencies, academia, development partners, finance institutions and civil society that work in the area of climate change.
The main approach of the third Central Asia Climate Change Conference is to keep both mitigation and adaptationin a loop.
There will be four thematic sessions on:
1. Climate change impacts and policy making process in times of COVID-19
2. Science and research perspectives on climate change in times of COVID-19
3. Climate-related information and knowledge: challenges and perspectives
4. Financing climate change actions:
a. Block A: international funds (22 October)
b. Block B: other resources (23 October)
Organisation:
Online streaming of thematic sessions will be held from 19 to 23 October 2020. Each session envisages a presentation segment with participation of lead regional and international experts on climate change and a discussion part. Duration of the session is up to 3 hrs per day.
For participants from the capitals of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, CAREC Country Offices will provide conference rooms and a coffee break. The venue will be announced later.
Simultaneous translation in Russian and English will be provided during the conference.
[1] CACCC-2020 was originally planned for 16-17 June 2020 in Dushanbe (Tajikistan).
Time: 15:00 – 19:00 (Almaty time)
1. Technical Session:
Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
● Introduction to the agenda
● Photo of participants
2. Opening Session:
Moderators: Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
CACCC-2020 opening session and welcoming remarks:
1. Ms. Lilia Burunciuc, Regional Director for Central Asia, World Bank
2. Mr. Sulton Rakhimzoda, Chairman, IFAS Executive Committee
3. H.E. Mr. Sven-Olov Carlsson, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan
4. Mr. Roberto Morassut, Vice-Minister, Italian Ministry of Ecology, Lands and Sea
5. Dr. Youba Sokona, Vice-Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
6. Mr. Zafar Makhmudov, CAREC Executive Director
Thematic Session 1: Climate change impacts and policy making process in times of pandemic
The main objective of the session is to mark the importance of 2020 in the start of the Paris Agreement implementation as well as to exchange information on national actions that presently undertaken by the states of Central Asia on climate mitigation and adaptation. The session will also touch upon the issues of climate and other (COVID-19) risks and discuss their relevance in climate policy formulation and enhancement of actions in times of pandemic.
3. Thematic Session:
Moderator: Mr. Zafar Makhmudov, CAREC Executive Director
Co-moderators: Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
Speakers:
1. Sir Laurie Bristow, Regional COP-26 Ambassador, Great Britain COP 26 – a road towards enhanced climate actions – 15 min
2. Dr. Olga Pilifosova, Manager, Adaptation Programme of the UNFCCC Secretariat: Marking 2020 for enhanced climate actions: challenges in times of COVID-19 – 15 min
3. Mr. Massimo Cozzone, Programme Manager, WHO European Environment and Health Centre and Mr. Vladimir Kendrovski, Technical Officer of the WHO Regional Office for Europe: Addressing environment, climate change and health in the COVID-19 pandemic: a perspective from WHO Regional Office for Europe – 15 min
4. Panel session: «Kicking-off climate actions in national policies and transitioning to green economy» - 30 min
Ms. Zulfiya Suleimenova, Deputy Director of the Climate Policy and Green Technologies Department, Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mr. Dilovarsho Dustzoda, Director of the Agency on Hydrometeorology, Committee on Environmental Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan
Mr. Berdy Berdyev, Head of the Department for Coordination of International Environmental Cooperation and Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan
Mr. Bahriddin Nishonov, First Deputy General Director, Centre of Hydrometeorological Service at Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet)
5. Discussion – 25 min
6. Mr. Zafar Makhmudov, CAREC Executive Director: Wrap-up and key messages – 15 min
Day 2: 20 October 2020: Tuesday
Time: 15:00 – 18:00 (Almaty time)
Thematic Session 2: Science and research perspectives on climate change in times of pandemic
The main objective of the session is to draw the attention of the participants to existing and emerging studies on climate change, which may open up new opportunities for the innovative science-based researches in times of pandemic and discuss modern methods and tools for performing such studies in Central Asia.
1. Technical Session:
Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
● Introduction to the agenda
● Photo of participants
2. Thematic Session:
Moderator: Ms. Zhanna Babagaliyeva, CAREC/CAMP4ASB
Co-moderators: Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
Speakers:
1. Dr. Sergey Semenov, IPCC Vice-Chair: Possible scientific foci of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report cycle– 15 min
2. Mr. Nurlan Abayev, Director of Research and Scientific Institute, Kazhydromet: Introducing new methods and tools in climate change research – 15 min
3. Dr. Gerrit Hoogenboom, Professor, Preeminent Scholar, University of Florida: Yield Forecasting using the DSSAT Crop Model – 15 min
4. Discussion – 40 min
Ms. Zhanna Babagaliyeva: Wrap-up and key messages – 15 min
Time: 15:00 – 18:00 (Almaty time)
Thematic Session 3: Climate-related information and knowledge in Central Asia
The session expects to present latest developments in climate-related information exchange and knowledge dissemination in Central Asia. A particular focus will be given to the introduction of the CACIP, which is one of the main knowledge products of the CAMP4ASB project. Lessons learned and best practices of other available instruments and communication channels, including contribution from civil society organizations, will feed the discussion and prompt the project team to further improve the system.
1. Technical Session:
Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
● Introduction to the agenda
● Photo of participants
2. Thematic Session:
Moderator: Ms. Saltanat Zhakenova, CAREC/CAMP4ASB
Co-moderators: Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
Speakers:
1. Dr. Chandrashekhar Biradar, Principal Scientist and Research Team Leader at ICARDA: Introduction of Central Asia Climate Information Platform (CACIP) – 15 min
2. Mr. Nagaraja Harshadeep, Global Lead (Disruptive Technology) at the World Bank: Modern Climate Data and Analytic Services – 15 min
3. Ms. Nurzat Abdyrasylova, CEO and Director of UNISON Group: Role of civil society organizations and local communities in spreading climate change knowledge – 15 min
4. Discussion – 40 min
5. Ms. Saltanat Zhakenova, CAREC/CAMP4ASB: Wrap-up and key messages – 15 min
Time: 15:00 – 18:00 (Almaty time)
Thematic Session 4 (Block A): Financing climate change actions in times of pandemic (COVID-19): international funds
The main objective of the session is to discuss status, challenges and perspectives towards accessing international funds, which are open for the countries of Central Asia through targeted climate funds, multilateral and bilateral agreements. The session will set a scene for the next day to continue with individual countries, who will share their experience on using and accessing resources to support climate actions at domestic level.
1. Technical Session:
Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
● Introduction to the agenda
● Photo of participants
2. Thematic Session:
Moderator: Ms. Irina Bekmirzaeva, Regional Coordinator, CAREC/CAMP4ASB
Co-Moderators: Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
Speakers:
1. Mr. Salamat Erejepov, Regional Officer for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Country Programming Division, Green Climate Fund: Financing climate actions in Central Asia: challenges and perspectives – 15 min
2. Ms. Jane Olga Ebinger, Sector Leader for Sustainable Development, World Bank: Financing climate ambition in Central Asia in times of COVID-19 – 15 min
3. Mr. Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan: EC perspectives in investing to climate change agenda in Central Asia – 15 min
4. Ms. Caroline Milow, Programme Director of the “Green Central Asia”: Transboundary dialogue on climate, environment and security in Central Asia and Afghanistan, GIZ: Green Central Asia: a new opportunity for the regional climate cooperation – 15 min
5. Mr. Glen Anderson, Senior Development Economist, Winrock International: Status of international funding for climate actions in Central Asia: gaps and opportunities – 15 min
6. Discussion – 30 min
Ms. Irina Bekmirzaeva, Regional Coordinator, CAREC/CAMP4ASB: Wrap-up and key messages – 15 min
Day 5: 23 October 2020: Friday
Time: 15:00 – 19:00 (Almaty time)
Thematic Session 4 (Block B): Financing climate change actions in times of pandemic (COVID-19): other funds
The main objective of the session is to continue discussing finance opportunities to support climate actions in Central Asia given pandemic risks. The rationale behind the session is to stress the importance of all resources, available within international, public and private investment envelopes.
1. Technical Session:
Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
● Introduction to the agenda
● Photo of participants
2. Thematic Session:
Moderator: Ms. Nailya Mustaeva, CAREC/CAMP4ASB
Co-moderators: Ms. Helen Angelova and Ms. Angelina Davydova
Speakers:
1. Ms. Irina Bekmirzaeva, Regional Coordinator, CAMP4ASB (CAREC): Role of climate investments in implementation of the Paris Agreement in Central Asia – 15 min
2. Panel session: «Mobilization of various-source finance resources to support climate actions» (30 min):
Ms. Ainur Kopbaeva, Head of Climate Change Adaptation Department, Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
Mr. Hasan Sharipov, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Budgetary Policy in the Real Sector of the Economy, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan;
Mr. Berdy Berdyev, Head of the Department for Coordination of International Environmental Cooperation and Projects, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan;
Mr. Abdujabbor Abdujamilov, Leading Specialist, Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan
3. Dr. Rastislav Vrbensky, Founder & CEO of AvantGarde Ideas: Private investments to climate change actionsin Central Asia – challenges and perspectives – 15 min
4. Dr. Henning Wuester, Director, ICAT: An evidence-based green recovery: Leveraging climate transparency to mobilise additional finance – 7 min
5. Discussion – 25 min
6. Ms. Nailya Mustaeva, CAREC/CAMP4ASB: Wrap-up and key messages – 15 min
3. Closing Session:
Moderator: Mr. Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director, CAREC
o Ms. Irina Bekmirzaeva, Regional Coordinator, CAREC/CAMP4ASB: Key messages of the CACCC-20202 – 15 min
o Ms. Lilia Burunciuc, Regional Director for Central Asia, World Bank – 5 min
o Mr. Sulton Rakhimzoda, Chairman, IFAS Executive Committee – 5 min
o Mr. Zafar Makhmudov, Executive Director, CAREC – 5 min