The Agency of Hydrometeorology of the Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan with the financial support of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) conducted a pre-Cop27 session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) last month in Dushanbe, where all the relevant government and non-government organization such as UNDP, FAO, GIZ, ADB, WB, WFP, USAID, SDC, MOM, EU participated, according to Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Resident Office in Tajikistan.
Chaired by the head of the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan Mr. A. Qurbonzoda, the session was reportedly aimed at discussing and sharing the national position and preparation for the upcoming COP27, focusing on planned activities and side events, and agreed on possible future collaboration and joint efforts to address the Climate Change related issues in the country.
The COP-27 is one of the most important climate summits since the landmark Paris Agreement was agreed in 2015 at COP 21.
The National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030 as well as the partnership and common action were discussed in the framework of the country’s strategic directions.
After the presentations, all parties agreed on a conclusion to submit the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the main of which is to support the sustainable and efficient development taking into consideration climate change, environmental and socioeconomic challenges.
Tajikistan formally communicated its INDC under the Paris Agreement in 2015 which became its NDC upon ratification of the Paris Agreement in 2017, and at present to show willingness of Tajikistan and its partners to participate in the COP 27 and presenting the work and achievements under the revision of five key sectors including agriculture, energy, forestry, biodiversity, industry, construction, transport, infrastructure. Finally, the set priority like Water Security, Climate Change, Adaptation, and resiliency to it, protection of Nature, Energy transition and investing in clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, accelerating the transition to low-carbon auto transport, investing and attracting finances.
Each representative from relevant ministries and committees presented their work and plans towards the achievement of NDC and commitment to reducing the Climate Change Impact on different sectors across the country and shared the plan for showcasing the work at the COP27. At the end, the participants agreed to put forward actual actions capable of addressing the following points and impacts of climate change: the NDC strategy for Tajikistan and recommendation on its further enhancement; and Tajikistan will be presenting in Central Asian Pavilion commitment toward climate change adaptation and planned activities.
The delegation from Tajikistan attending the COP27 will present the work, achievements and plans pertinent to these priorities in the pavilion allocated for Central Asia. The pavilion will also enable the countries to:
• Promote updated NDCs that provide a succinct vision of the country’s steps and goals concerning strategies for low emissions and adaptation to climate change.
• To inform about adopted and planned strategies for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, internal efforts and needs for external financing of climate and disseminate the information on country new incentives, regulations and legislation.
• Provide a platform for high-level statements, press coverage, discussion, and exchange of experiences, and for making new contacts with other regions and stakeholder groups.
• To increase the visibility and voice of Central Asia on adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its consequences, including the transition to a green economy, renewable energy sources, climate-sustainable development.
• Expand the coverage and dissemination of information on climate change in the media by publishing articles, organizing expert podcasts on the challenges and opportunities in Central Asia and around the world.
• Provide a space where Central Asian delegations can come together and the international community to strengthen existing and develop new partnerships.
As AKAH CEO Mr. Nawab Ali Khan stated “… Tajikistan stands amongst those countries which has least to do with the creation of the climate change however it is one of the countries that receives its worst impacts. With support of its partners the AKAH has been working with the government of Tajikistan with the aim to achieve the goal of a resilient Tajikistan where communities are safe from the effects of climate change and other natural disasters. AKAH is complementing and supplementing the government’s efforts to combat climate change through programs and projects ranging from risk anticipation to preparedness for natural disasters and development of safe and resilient settlements with provision of critical physical infrastructure. Together with the Government of Tajikistan AKAH aims to share its experience, success stories, challenges, and way forward around climate change mitigation and adaptation at COPE 27 and attract global support for Tajikistan’s efforts to combat climate change”.
Building on the conversations and presentation, Tajikistan Pre-COP Session is the final formal, multilateral opportunity for the Government and the relevant development partners to shape the negotiations and overall Tajikistan position in detail ahead of the upcoming COP 27 that will take place from November 6 to November 18 this year.
