Tashkent: The World Bank Group is actively supporting Central Asian countries in managing their natural resources sustainably to foster job creation, food security, pollution reduction, and resilience to climate change. Through the Central Asia Climate and Environment Program, these nations are working towards sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economic growth using advanced environmental and economic analysis and operations.
According to World Bank, the thematic areas of this program include circular economy and transboundary landscape corridors in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Despite progress in alleviating poverty and achieving economic growth, Central Asian countries face significant environmental challenges. In Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the rapid extraction of oil and gas is depleting natural capital. Meanwhile, unsustainable land use practices in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are leading to soil erosion, changing water balances, and decreased carbon sequestration potential, further exacerbating environmental degradation.
The region also grapples with extreme weather events and natural hazards, including droughts, floods, and mudslides, which contribute to the loss of arable land and reduced agricultural output. These challenges particularly impact rural and vulnerable populations who rely on the land for their livelihood.
Central Asian countries are taking significant steps to transition to greener, cleaner, and more resilient growth. The World Bank’s Environment Program in Central Asia supports these efforts through three pillars: creating resilient landscapes with the RESILAND Land Program, pollution management and circular economy, and green growth and innovative finance.
The Climate and Environment Program in Central Asia is implemented by national governments with low-interest financing from the World Bank’s International Development Association and recipient-executed trust funds from PROGREEN and the Korea-World Bank Group Partnership Facility. Multi-donor trust funds, including Central Asia Water and Energy Program, Global Environment Facility, and others, provide knowledge and advisory support.
The program emphasizes social change by raising awareness and advocacy for climate resilience and green growth. It engages policymakers, civil society, media, youth, and communities to foster understanding and action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Initiatives like the Central Asia Conference on Climate Change and the Stakeholder Workshop on Environmental and Climate Education contribute to this effort by facilitating knowledge exchange and skill development.
One notable study, “Piloting AnchorEd Schools as a Model for Resilience in Central Asia,” aims to raise awareness of climate change, pollution, and landscape restoration among Tajikistan’s rural youth and women. By engaging youth in these environmental issues, the study seeks to promote community-driven actions towards climate resilience, green growth, and the achievement of SDGs.