A three-day meeting of the 2024 SPECA Economic Forum and Governing Council concluded in Dushanbe today. 

Representatives of Central Asian countries acknowledged the urgent need for regional cooperation in green development and committed to strengthen collaboration across critical sectors, including energy, trade digitalization, trade integration, trade facilitation, investment promotion, SME development, water cooperation and innovation ecosystems.

Organized with support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), this year’s Forum brought together high-level participants from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss operationalization of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA)  Multi-Partner Trust Fund, which offers an excellent opportunity to launch climate, innovation, and green projects tailored to the region’s unique needs.

The event focused on key priorities such as climate action, technology and innovation, and sustainable transport and energy.  In several interventions, delegates highlighted how climate change is impacting the economies and ecosystems of the SPECA region with issues such as glacier melt, water scarcity and pollution intensifying.

Several other proposals were also tabled to expand the program of activities and reframe SPECA as an impactful full-fledged regional international association.  These include new initiatives such as the SPECA Climate and Innovation Dialogue, SPECA Forum of Climate Smart Cities and SPECA Concept of Development until 2030.

Speaking at the Forum, the heads of delegations provided information on measures taken to transition to renewable energy sources.

Tajikistan's Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ahliddin Nouriddinzoda, in particular, noted that Tajikistan has adopted a Green Economy Development Strategy for 2023-2037, which aims to achieve ambitious goals in implementing sustainable practices across all sectors of the country's economy.

By 2033, the country plans to produce at least 1,000 MW of renewable energy from solar and wind sources, supplementing current projects in hydropower development.

As part of these efforts, Tajikistan is implementing several projects, including significant investments in hydropower projects such as the Roghun hydropower plant (HPP), as well as modernizing the Nurek, Qairoqqum, and Sarband hydropower plants.

These measures will increase energy production by an additional 4,000 MW by 2032, positioning the country as a leader in renewable energy and enabling a full transition to electricity generated from renewable sources, Tajik official said.

According to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, 94.11% (over 17.5 billion kWh) of electricity in Tajikistan over the first ten months of this year has been generated by hydropower power stations, over 5.88% (around 1.1 billion kWh) by thermal stations, and just over 0.005% (801.4 million kWh) by solar power plants.

For his part, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of National Economy, Arman Kassenov, stated that Kazakhstan adopted a Green Economy Strategy in 2022, setting an ambitious goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 15% by 2030.

According to him, the current share of "green" energy in Kazakhstan's total energy production is around 3.0%. By 2030, the country plans to increase this share to 15%, adding seven additional GW, and also aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 15%.  Moreover, by 2060, Kazakhstan aims to achieve a net-zero balance of greenhouse gas emissions

Speaking at the Forum, the First Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, Choro Seyitov, focused on harmonizing economic growth with environmental sustainability.  He called for the active introduction of innovations aimed at improving efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving natural resources.  He proposed several initiatives for sustainable development: implementing a green economy development program; introducing extended producer responsibility for manufacturers and importers; developing hydropower and renewable energy sources; building the Kambarata HPP-1 in partnership with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; and creating a mechanism for exchanging external debt for climate and sustainable projects.

Turkmenistan's Deputy Minister of Finance and Economics, Babaniyoz Yalakov, noted in his speech that an important area for ensuring sustainable development in Turkmenistan's economy, environmental protection, and the rational use of natural resources is the development of renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind energy.  With significant potential in wind and solar energy, Turkmenistan has the opportunity to create a balanced energy system with a reasonable share of renewable sources, Yalakov said.

Speaking at the Forum, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade Advisor, Abdulla Khasimov, noted that by 2030, the country plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35%.  To achieve this goal, he stated, renewable energy production capacity is expected to grow, and by 2030, the share of renewable energy in the country’s total electricity production will reach 25%.  He emphasized that the share of "green" energy will be increased to 40% by 2030.

According to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy, about 85% of the country’s generating capacity is currently provided by thermal power plants.

The 2024 SPECA Economic Forum and Governing Council meeting ended with adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration.