Kyrgyzstan became the first country in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) region to join the CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum). The CVF is a platform that brings together the countries most vulnerable to climate change and which produce the least amount of emissions. Together they unite in advocacy at international negotiations, strengthen each other’s positions and set an example of ambitious climate policy.
Olha Boiko, EECCA Climate Action Network coordinator, commented on this decision: “We are pleased that the voice of vulnerable countries is becoming louder at international climate negotiations. Kyrgyzstan has historically emitted a very small amount of greenhouse gases, while the country’s inhabitants are already exposed to the effects of the climate crisis. Glaciers, from which vital water flows, are melting. Pastures and agricultural areas suffer from droughts and fires. We at CAN EECCA are very pleased that the government of Kyrgyzstan is looking for strong allies to fight the climate crisis and is responding to public requests.”
On October 19, 2022, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision Beksultan Ibraimov recorded a video message declaring Kyrgyzstan’s readiness to join the platform.
“Kyrgyzstan updated its NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) last year. We aim to reduce our emissions by 44% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 with the strong support of our international partners. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic shows its respect and expresses its deep gratitude to the Secretariat of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) for the assistance provided in the implementation of the country’s efforts to adapt to climate change. Confirming the high level of interest, the functions of the Authorized National Coordinator of the Kyrgyz Republic will be entrusted to the level of Deputy Minister. The Director of the Climate Finance Center will serve as Additional Coordinators of the Kyrgyz Republic for interaction with the CVF. The Ministry is also reviewing the results of the regional consultations held in September this year and generally agrees with the CVF’s Accra-Kinshasa Communiqué.”
For several years, we at the Climate Action Network, together with network members, have been trying to invite the most vulnerable countries in our region to the CVF. At the COP26 Glasgow Conference of the Parties, together with our network members, Biom, we organized a meeting between the delegation of Kyrgyzstan and the CVF secretariat.
Anna Kirilenko, executive director of the environmental NGO Biom, commented on this news:
“Membership of Kyrgyzstan in the Climate Vulnerable Forum is, on the one hand, strengthening the country’s position at the international level, on the other hand, it is an opportunity to increase potential and attract various kinds of resources within the country. By becoming part of the Forum, we declared that we are aware of the seriousness of the climate agenda for society as a whole and are ready to work together with other countries to overcome challenges. The forum is one of the manifestations of South-to-South partnerships, by joining which we get access to research, materials, technologies and positive practices of other countries for adaptation to climate change, and integrate into the process of developing international solutions necessary for countries like us — the most vulnerable. The main thing now is to use the opportunities that are opening up before us, and not to put them off indefinitely.”