BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 4. Europe has much to learn from Central Asia’s experience in energy transition and its innovative strategies to mitigate extreme climate variability, said the President of the European Council António Costa during the Samarkand Climate Forum, Trend reports.
He drove home the point that the forum's aim was to band together and tackle one of the hottest potatoes of our era - the climate crisis.
“The opening of the Samarkand Climate Conference is very timely indeed, as we just concluded the Plenary of the First-ever Summit between the European Union and Central Asia, formally deciding to elevate our relations to the strategic level. We committed to working together to face the global challenges we all share, and climate is one of the biggest,” Costa said.
He highlighted the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, stressing that it is already reshaping ecosystems, economies, and ways of living. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing water scarcity are destabilizing energy production, agricultural security, and social stability, particularly in Central Asia.
“The dramatic drying of the Aral Sea is an example of what humanity can - or cannot- do,” the president of the European Council remarked.
However, he pointed out that these climate challenges are not just for Central Asia but for the entire world, with Europe also experiencing the costs of climate-driven disasters such as wildfires, floods, and heatwaves. He stressed the importance of climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and risk reduction as key components of joint cooperation.
He also emphasized that the energy transition in Central Asia is not just an opportunity for the region but for the entire world, offering valuable lessons for Europe’s own energy transformation. António Costa suggested that strengthening the Central Asia-Europe climate partnership could accelerate investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable water management, ensuring a climate-resilient future for both regions.
“By linking water and energy management strategies in Central Asia with Europe’s disaster risk reduction frameworks, the two regions could create synergies that would enhance climate models, bolster infrastructure resilience, and safeguard communities from climate-induced hazards. The European Union is a reliable, predictable, and trustworthy partner. We stand ready not just as a partner but as a long-term ally in climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and sustainable prosperity,” he added.
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