UNICEF and the Central Asia Climate Fund sign a memorandum of cooperation protecting children from climate change

ASTANA, July 4, 2024 – Today, UNICEF and the Central Asia Climate Fund (CACF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to protect children from the impact of climate change. This event marks the beginning of an important collaboration aimed at taking climate action for children in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

CACF Director Rolan Dzhangarashev and UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar attended the signing ceremony. The parties agreed to work together on programmes aimed at climate resilience and green initiatives. The parties have also committed to assisting young people in engaging with climate action on national, regional, and global platforms. This includes their participation in significant events such as the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) and the Central Asia Climate Summit, among other relevant gatherings.

The parties agreed to particularly focus on collecting and using data on the impact of climate change on children. This initiative will provide support for improving climate policy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia based on United Nations’ climate change and children’s rights recommendations.

CACF Director Rolan Dzhangarashev noted that “this partnership will allow us to join efforts to address one of the most pressing issues of our time – climate change. We are convinced that joint projects with UNICEF will help protect the future of our children and make the world a better place.”

UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Dr. Rashed Sarwar added that “children are especially vulnerable to climate change. For example, 39 per cent of children in Kazakhstan live in regions exposed to extreme heat. We must take their needs into account in climate policy and invest in solutions that protect their rights.”

The memorandum also includes a wide range of initiatives to raise awareness of children's rights, ensure inclusivity, and support climate policy.