UN Women Europe and Central Asia 64d ago

Astana, 23 April 2026 — UN Women and its partners convened an event titled “Towards Inclusive Climate, Water and Mountain Governance in Central Asia: Investing in Women in the Water–Climate–Peace Nexus” as part of the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES 2026) in Astana. Central Asia, one of the regions most vulnerable to environmental stress, is already experiencing impacts that directly affect economic stability, human security and regional cooperation. Approximately 49 per cent of the region’s population lives in areas affected by high water stress, underscoring the urgency of coordinated and coherent action. Climate and environmental risks are not gender-neutral. Women and girls, who play a central role in household resource management and agriculture, are disproportionately affected by water scarcity and climate shocks, while remaining underrepresented in decision-making processes shaping policies and investments. Currently, women account for only around 20 per cent of professionals in the water sector in Central Asia. Held on 22–24 April 2026, the RES brought together heads of state, senior policymakers, international organizations, financial institutions and development partners to advance coordinated responses to interconnected environmental challenges in Central Asia, including water scarcity, land degradation and biodiversity loss.