Speaking at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov proposed introducing an economic compensation mechanism for ecosystem services in the water and energy sectors in Central Asia, Akchabar.kg reports.
Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan produces approximately 50 billion cubic meters of water annually, but uses only 12 billion for its own needs, while 38 billion cubic meters flow to neighboring states. Meanwhile, the country bears a disproportionately high burden of climate impacts, contributing only 0.03% to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Key data:
- The number of emergencies (mudflows, floods) has tripled since 2020, with annual damages amounting to approximately $16 million.
- The area of glaciation has decreased by 16%, and the level of Lake Issyk-Kul has dropped by almost 14 meters.
- The number of rivers flowing into Issyk-Kul has decreased from over 100 to 30.
Over the past five years, Kyrgyzstan has allocated $259 million (2% of the annual budget) to the water sector, but these funds are insufficient for infrastructure modernization. The President called for co-financing of water services by all consumer countries.
Japarov also proposed opening a Regional Center for the Implementation of Energy-Efficient Technologies in Bishkek and announced the implementation of green energy projects, including the construction of the Kambar-Ata Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP-1), the development of small hydroelectric power plants, and solar and wind power plants.
The head of state called for simplifying the procedures for obtaining climate financing for the most vulnerable mountainous countries.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 22, 2026