ENU Center for Sustainable Development Held a Climate Risk Seminar in Almaty

The Center for Sustainable Development of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, in cooperation with Satbayev University and with the support of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) held a seminar titled “Climate Risks Related to Water: Droughts, Floods, and Heatwaves.”

The event was organized within the global IKI / GIZ project “Dialogue on Climate Protection Strategies (DIAPOL-CE)” and the Education and Climate Change Adaptation Program.

The seminar gathered researchers, international experts, and students from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan to discuss key regional climate risks and explore adaptation measures.

Key Issues Discussed:

• Droughts and floods threatening food security and infrastructure;
• Heatwaves affecting public health and labor productivity;
• Transboundary water risks and their implications for regional cooperation;
• Legal and reputational risks in the implementation of climate initiatives.

Proposed Project Ideas:

1. Organic Waste Management System – developing a model for composting and separate waste collection to reduce methane emissions.
2. Central Asian Plant Gene Bank – preserving endangered and rare species to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
3. Water Reuse Systems for Ecotourism Facilities – promoting efficient water use and sustainability in tourism.
4. Darvaza Crater Research and Conservation Project (Turkmenistan) – identifying sustainable and safe environmental solutions.

The seminar’s outcomes will contribute to the preparation of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

The next step will be an online seminar on October 16, focusing on refining and integrating proposed projects into regional and national sustainability strategies.