Almaty: The World Bank Group is actively supporting Central Asian countries in managing their natural resources sustainably to foster job creation, enhance food security, reduce pollution, and bolster resilience to climate change. Through its Central Asia Climate and Environment Program, the World Bank is assisting countries in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth using advanced environmental and economic analytics and operations.
According to World Bank, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have made significant strides in alleviating poverty and achieving economic growth. However, these advancements have often come at the expense of natural capital, particularly in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, where oil and gas extraction is rapidly depleting natural resources. In the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, unsustainable land use practices are leading to soil erosion, changing water balances, and decreased carbon sequestration potential. These environmental challenges are compounded by resource-intensive production, which is increasing urban pollution and impacting infrastructure, public health, and the environment.
Extreme weather events and natural hazards, such as droughts, floods, and mudslides, further exacerbate the loss of arable land and reduce agricultural production, leading to food insecurity and constrained economic growth. These issues have a particularly severe impact on rural and vulnerable populations who directly depend on the land for their livelihood.
To address these challenges, Central Asian countries are taking steps toward a greener, cleaner, and more resilient growth model. The World Bank's Environment Program in Central Asia supports this transition through three pillars: creating resilient landscapes with the RESILAND Land Program, managing pollution and advancing a circular economy, and promoting green growth and innovative finance.
The Climate and Environment Program in Central Asia is implemented with low-interest financing from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) and recipient-executed trust funds from PROGREEN and the Korea-World Bank Group Partnership Facility (KWPF). Participating countries also support regional activities to foster dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among Central Asian nations.
The program's knowledge and advisory efforts are backed by multi-donor trust funds, including the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Global Program on Sustainability (GPS), among others. Transitioning to green, clean, and resilient growth requires a shift in both government and societal attitudes. The Climate and Environment Program engages policymakers, civil society, media, youth, and communities to raise awareness and advocate for climate resilience and green growth aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of the Central Asia Conference on Climate Change (CACCC), the World Bank collaborates with Central Asian governments to increase public awareness of climate issues. A media training at CACCC helped journalists from five Central Asian countries develop skills in digital content related to climate change, reaching over 10 million people across the region. Furthermore, a Stakeholder Workshop on Environmental and Climate Education in Central Asia brought together over 70 policy-makers, educators, and environmental experts to discuss building climate resilience and a sustainable future.
The "Piloting AnchorEd Schools as a Model for Resilience in Central Asia" study, in partnership with AnchorEd and the University of Central Asia, aims to raise awareness among Tajikistan's rural youth and women about climate change, pollution, and landscape restoration. This study highlights how engaging youth aged 15-25 in these issues can drive community actions towards climate resilience and sustainable development.