BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 4. At the Samarkand Investment Forum, Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), emphasized the urgency of action on climate change despite the region’s political and economic challenges.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, Molcean outlined three key elements for tackling climate change: political will, effective partnerships, and scaled-up financing.
“Facing the hard realities of Central Asia—such as the disaster of the Aral Sea and the vanishing glaciers—it is clear that political will is present,” Molcean said. She noted the strong commitment to climate action demonstrated by the leaders attending the forum, convened by the President of Uzbekistan.
Molcean also highlighted the importance of Central Asia’s unique partnership with the European Union, which she believes could be a game changer for the region. “Your personal leadership, Madam and Mr. President, is really crucial in this process,” she added, addressing the leadership present at the forum.
The UNECE executive stressed the vital role of multilateral development banks, particularly the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), in facilitating the green financing needed for the region’s transition. “From the UN side, we are ready to contribute to this collective effort,” she affirmed.
Turning to the region’s priorities, Molcean acknowledged the importance of infrastructure development, economic growth, and job creation. However, she emphasized that these goals must go hand in hand with smart, economically viable climate action. “At UNECE, we strongly believe that this is not only possible, but achievable,” she stated.
One key area of focus is transport, a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. “In 2024, members of the UN, under the UNECE convened platform, adopted the UN’s first decarbonization strategy for inland transport,” Molcean announced. She also highlighted the regional effort to digitize the Trans-Caspian Corridor, positioning it as a green corridor to reduce emissions and improve transit efficiency.
Molcean also shared promising developments in energy. A recent UNECE report on energy systems for Central Asia found that energy self-sufficiency could improve significantly through regional interconnectedness, potentially saving up to 1.4 billion US dollars annually by 2050. These savings would provide crucial support for the region’s decarbonization efforts.
Water cooperation was another key issue addressed by Molcean. “Transboundary cooperation is essential for effective climate adaptation,” she stated, stressing the importance of water management in optimizing energy use and making economies and cities more resilient. She noted the UNECE Water Convention, which has helped foster transboundary cooperation for over 15 years, as a key tool in tackling these challenges.
Molcean concluded by underscoring the need for a whole-of-society approach to climate change. “The voices of citizens, civil society, and local communities are crucial,” she said, pointing to the role of local governments and communities in driving change. She also announced that Uzbekistan had recently acceded to the Aarhus Convention, making it the fifth Central Asian country to join this important environmental treaty.