Kyrgyz Cities Chart New Path for Climate-Resilient Development

Bishkek, 25 November 2025 - Cities across Kyrgyzstan are turning climate ambition into action. Today's Cities Climate Action Forum, co-organised by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), the European Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), celebrated a milestone in local leadership: 21 municipalities have joined the Global Covenant of Mayors and developed their own Climate Action Plans (CAPs), as part of Kyrgyzstan's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC3.0) implementation.

The event gathered representatives of national and local government, development partners, and international financial institutions and highlighted the completion of six comprehensive Climate Action Plans for the cities of Batken, Jalal-Abad, Karakol, Naryn, Talas, and Tokmok. These plans are fully aligned with Kyrgyzstan's national priorities and commitments under the Paris Agreement and contribute directly to achieving the national operational results in terms of climate action, as recently defined under the NDC 3.0.

"We pay special attention to supporting cities in preparing and implementing local initiatives to adapt to climate change, strengthening monitoring and reporting systems, developing vulnerability and risk assessment mechanisms, and enhancing the institutional capacity of local governments," said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Asel Raimkulova.

Rémi Duflot, Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic said: "Climate change presents serious challenges for Kyrgyzstan, from melting glaciers and water scarcity to land degradation and biodiversity loss. Through the European Green Deal, the EU is leading global climate action and recognizes the essential role of cities in both reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts. This project has given strong momentum to Kyrgyzstan's national climate agenda, in partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors, UNDP and ADB. The European Union will continue working with the Government and partners to build a sustainable and resilient future for all."

"ADB is proud to work with the Government of Kyrgyz Republic in developing a data led approach to NDC 3.0 design through a robust diagnostic assessment of cities' climate resilience needs and low-carbon development opportunities. This work is being delivered through ADB's NDC Advance technical assistance platform, which helps our developing member countries translate climate ambitions into actionable pathways. Our collaboration reflects strong coordination among development partners and builds on the foundations laid through earlier work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Technical Supervision developing the National Adaptation Plan for cities. Together, ADB stands ready to support the country to achieve its development priorities for a more climate-resilient, green, and sustainable future," said Zheng Wu, ADB Country Director.

The development of Kyrgyzstan's third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) marks a major step forward in the country's climate agenda. Led by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision with UNDP's technical support, the process brought together government institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, UN agencies, and development partners.

NDC 3.0 raises Kyrgyzstan's climate ambition and places stronger emphasis on implementation, accountability, and measurable results across adaptation, mitigation, and just transition pathways. The next phase focuses on turning national commitments into practical results through sector-specific and cross-sector action plans that empower institutions and communities to accelerate climate action on the ground.

Alexandra Solovieva, Resident Representative, UNDP Kyrgyz Republic: "NDC 3.0 highlights the vital role of urban planning, recognizing cities as key drivers of low-carbon and climate-resilient growth. Through integrated planning in transport, green infrastructure, and housing, cities can advance NDC targets. The NDC 3.0 Action Plan supports Kyrgyzstan in aligning national commitments with local action through technical assistance, policy guidance, and capacity building to foster sustainable, climate-smart urban development."

Aligning NDC 3.0 with local climate leadership is vital, as cities and communities are on the frontline of climate impacts and are key drivers of solutions, from renewable energy deployment and sustainable land use to resilience planning. The Climate Action Plans developed by Kyrgyz cities under NDC 3.0 demonstrate how municipal authorities are operationalizing national priorities at the local level. Strengthening the connection between national policy and city-level action makes climate goals more achievable, equitable and sustainable.

Piero Remitti, Co-Managing Director, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM): "Over the past three years, Kyrgyz cities have shown what local climate leadership looks like, developing ambitious, realistic, and locally owned Climate Action Plans. These efforts demonstrate that Kyrgyz cities are ready to act, and with continued support, they can become leaders in the region's green transition."

The forum, titled "From Planning to Action - Local Climate Leadership," also showcased ongoing cooperation between municipalities, national institutions such as the Climate Finance Center and ARIS, and international partners.