Kamal Kishore: Lack of unified  strategy is  a major obstacle to  effective climate action in Central Asia

ArmInfo.  The transition from political declarations to practical implementation of climate  commitments is essential to ensuring the region's security, as stated  by Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General  for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of the UN Office for Disaster  Risk Reduction (UNDRR), at the opening of the Central Asia Climate  Change Conference (CACCC-2026) NDC 3.0: From Commitments to Action.

According to him, the updated Nationally Determined Contributions  (NDC 3.0) should become a tool for developing a shared risk  management system aimed at reducing vulnerability and strengthening  resilience.  However, despite the progress achieved by Central Asian  countries and their growing climate ambitions, the effective  implementation of their commitments remains a key challenge. Kishore  emphasized that fragmented approaches remain a key obstacle. He noted  that climate policy, disaster risk reduction programs, and  development plans are often implemented in isolation. "This creates  blind spots, resulting in plans not being integrated into systemic  urban planning, and the most vulnerable groups are often overlooked,"  he said.

He added that a comprehensive approach is needed that aligns climate  action, disaster risk reduction measures, and development strategies.  It will minimize duplication and ensure a more effective and broad-  based impact.  Kishore placed special emphasis on regional  cooperation, calling it a key condition for NDC implementation. He  noted that climate risks in Central Asia are transboundary in nature,  including shared water resources and phenomena such as dust storms,  making them impossible to effectively address solely at the national  level.