A High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Resilience in Central Asia kicked off in Bishkek today. The event brought together government officials from Central Asian countries, international experts and scientists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Italy, Japan, Serbia and Montenegro to discuss the crucial role of early warning systems in building resilience and mitigating climate change in Central Asia.
The countries of Central Asia are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Intense heat waves, drought, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events are becoming a major problem for the environment, economy and human health. 40 million of the region’s 75 million people live under constant threat from earthquakes, mudflows and floods that could affect more than one country. Early warning systems offer a proactive tool to reduce risks and minimize the effects of such natural disasters. They are a priority in the fight against climate change, aligned with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Risk Reduction, while making a significant contribution to development agenda.
Azamat Mambetov, Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic stressed at the opening of the conference:
“Regional coordination and cooperation are necessary to share experiences and innovations to strengthen early warning systems in the name of saving lives.”