Central Asian reps meeting in Almaty to discuss cooperation in adaptation to climate change
Bishkek, October 20 / Kabar /. The regional round table «Adaptation to Climate Change in Central Asia: Problems, Experiences, Ways of Cooperation» is taking place on 19-20 October in Almaty. Kazinform reports.
The purpose of the round table is to broadly discuss the issues of climate change and the adaptation on the level of CA countries, to share the experiences between the countries in relation to the adaptation mechanisms as well as to elaborate the uniform visioning of the further steps of cooperation in the field of adaptation in Central Asian region.
According to the experts' assessments, Central Asian region is one of the most vulnerable to the climate change consequences. Only in Kazakhstan, 75% of the territory is exposed to the high risk of climate change risk. Based on the experts' conclusions the climate change consequences in Kazakhstan will be considerable; the climate-dependent sectors such as agriculture, hydro-power industry, water and land resources will be affected above all, the press release of the UNDP in Kazakhstan reads.
Central Asian region is one of the areas where the climate change consequences may have a serious impact on the ecosystems and living standards of people. Within the recent years Kazakhstan like the other CA countries, have gained the adaptation practices. This regional meeting will enable to involve the other CA countries in cooperation in the field of climate change adaptation and to share the relevant experiences.
The event will be organized under financial support of the Swiss Government under UNDP/GEF Community-Based Adaptation Program (CBA) implemented in Kazakhstan through the GEF Small Grants Program.
The UNDP/GEF CBA Program Strategy is to implement and practice the methods enabling to reduce the climate change vulnerability level of the rural inhabitants and enhance the communities' capacities of adaptation to the unfavorable consequences of the climate change within GEF focal areas. The Program has been implemented since 2008 in 10 pilot countries, Kazakhstan is among them.
The adaptation agricultural methods are implemented and tested in Kazakhstan within CBA Program that would help the rural communities to normally develop under the changing climate conditions and become less dependent on the weather conditions.
The officials of governmental agencies of CA countries, members of NGO's, international programs and projects, as well as experts will take part in the Round Table. The event will also be attended by the representatives of hydro-meteorological services operating in CA countries as well as the experts in the fields of pastoral and climate risk management.
