As part of the Regional Ecological Summit 2026, a press conference titled “Voices of Central Asian Youth” was held at the Congress Center, bringing together young delegates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Participants presented a collective vision of the region’s environmental challenges and emphasized the need for active and systematic youth engagement in shaping a sustainable future.

The event took place in the Alatau Hall and served as a platform for open dialogue between young people, international organizations, and the media on key climate and environmental issues.

During the press conference, the Central Asian Youth Statement for the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 was presented. The Statement was developed with UNICEF’s support based on the outcomes of national youth climate conferences (LCOY) and the Regional Conference of Youth of Central Asia (RCOY). The document reflects the consolidated position of more than 1,200 young people from across the region and includes practical recommendations on climate adaptation, water security, air pollution, environmental education, green skills development, and strengthening youth participation in decision-making.

Opening the press conference, UNICEF Representative in Kyrgyzstan, Samman J. Thapa, noted that environmental challenges are already directly affecting the lives of children and young people in Central Asia. He emphasized that youth engagement in the climate agenda is not symbolic, but a necessary component of effective public policy.

“Young people are not only raising important concerns, but also offering concrete solutions. Their voices must be heard and taken into account in shaping the future of the region,” he stated.

Young delegates presented the key priorities outlined in the Statement and shared national perspectives.

Alimkhan Abulkhan, representing Kazakhstan, highlighted that the Statement is the result of a broad and inclusive consultation process involving young people from across the region. He noted that the document reflects youth aspirations for sustainable development and their readiness to contribute to implementing the proposed solutions.

Ayana Ulanova, a delegate from Kyrgyzstan, emphasized the importance of youth engagement in decision-making processes and the development of climate education. She noted that initiatives such as climate education programs and youth dialogues are already demonstrating tangible contributions to shaping climate policy.

Samir Shorakhmatulloev, representing Tajikistan, stressed the need for the systematic integration of climate education into national curricula, underlining its role in building resilience and adaptive skills among younger generations.

Chynar Garliyeva, a delegate from Turkmenistan, highlighted the potential of “green schools” initiatives as a comprehensive approach combining education and practical solutions to foster environmental responsibility.

Shakhnoza Rakhmonova, representing Uzbekistan, underscored the importance of expanding youth political participation, including their involvement in climate policymaking and international negotiations, as well as advancing mechanisms under Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE).

During the Q&A session, media representatives discussed with delegates the most pressing environmental challenges facing the region, including climate change, water scarcity, glacier melt, air pollution, and the need for strengthened regional cooperation.

Young participants emphasized that uniting the voices of Central Asian youth marks an important step toward stronger regional cooperation and the advancement of joint solutions. They called on governments, international organizations, and partners to expand opportunities for youth engagement and to take their recommendations into account in environmental policymaking and implementation.

The press conference concluded with a shared commitment from young people across the region to act as active partners in advancing a sustainable future for Central Asia.