Section 6. United Nations and Its Specialized Agencies

6.2. Security Council

The Security Council (SC) has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security; all UN members are obliged to follow its decisions. It has 15 members, including 5 permanent members with veto power (Great Britain, China, Russia, USA, France) and 10 non-permanent, elected by the UNGA for a two-year term of five countries each year.

UNSC Activities on Climate and Water in 2025

During the year, the UN headquarters hosted: (1) Arria-formula meeting on “Freshwater resources and related infrastructure under attack: protecting water in armed conflict – protecting civilian lives” chaired by Slovenia together with Algeria, Panama, and Sierra Leone. The participants stressed the need to protect water access in conflict-affected areas (Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine) in strict adherence to international humanitarian law (principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution), and highlighted health risks posed to the population and vulnerable groups, primarily children (May 23); (2) briefing on “Climate and security – environmental impact of armed conflict and climate driven security risks” (November); (3) series of meetings of the Informal Expert Group on Climate, Peace and Security (co-chaired by Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, and Slovenia) to discuss climate change impacts on peace and security in selected countries and regions, including Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Haiti, Libya and CAR.

Source: Security Council

6.3. Secretariat

The Secretariat, a principal UN body, is led by the Secretary-General – appointed by the UNGA on the Security Council’s recommendation for a five-year term. Since January 2022, Antonio Guterres (Portugal) has been serving as the Secretary-General.

Each year, the Secretary-General reports on the work of the Organization, including priority areas of the UN’s activity and future plans. The 2025 Report highlights that “despite enormously trying times – indeed, precisely because of them – we can and must keep pushing for the better world that we know is within reach”.

The Report highlights the work in the following key areas: (1) sustainable development and climate change – developed international and regional cooperation, gender equality, and empowered women, supported 170 countries in implementing their NDCs, funded 35 developing countries to accelerate low-carbon development initiatives through the GEF; (2) peace and security – 11 peacekeeping operations and 40 special political missions to prevent and settle conflicts; started reviewing peace operations to improve its effectiveness; (3) development in Africa – assisted 54 African states in achieving SDGs; (4) human rights – supported 49,000 survivors of torture in 93 countries and 10,500 survivors of contemporary forms of slavery in 36 countries; (5) humanitarian assistance -mobilized $25 billion and assisted 116 million people; (6) justice and international law – information support on 654 multilateral treaties affecting common interests of the international community; (7) disarmament – funded 133 arms control-related projects benefiting 148 Member-States; (8) combating drugs, crime and terrorism – trained 4,400 people through 133 capacity-building initiatives; organized 13 high-level and 10 regional conferences on technical issues relating to counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism. The UN and Government of Uzbekistan convened the first meeting of the Central Asia Regional Expert Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees from Conflict Zones. The event provided a platform for sharing experiences and strengthening regional cooperation; (9) effective functioning of the Organization -focused on efficiency and reforms (UN80 Initiative); recognized achievements in promoting diverse workforce and combating racism. The deployment of Umoja Analytics has enabled data-driven decision-making processes. Simultaneously, the NewWork initiative is gaining momentum, uniting over 3,700 participants and fostering a contemporary culture of cooperation based on the bottom-up principle.

Source: UN

6.4. UN Development Program

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is a global network within the UN system dedicated to advancing sustainable development and supporting countries in their pursuit of socio-economic transformation. By providing access to knowledge, expertise, and financial resources, the UNDP works to enhance the quality of life for populations worldwide. It operates in 177 countries and territories.

UNDP Activities in the Central Asian Countries in 2025

UNDP in Kazakhstan

The UNDP offers integrated assistance to Kazakhstan to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement, with a particular emphasis on fostering green economy and sustainable natural resource management. In 2025, 41 projects worth $22.64 million were implemented.

Completed projects: (1) Assistance to the Republic of Kazakhstan in fulfilling international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon footprint of electricity suppliers for the leading technology company Bitfury (2019-2025); (2) Sustainable forest management (2018-2025); (3) Supporting the economic empowerment of Afghan women through education and training in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (2019-2025); (4) Climate promise Kazakhstan – from pledge to impact (2024-2025); (5) Derisking renewable energy investment (2017-2025).

Ongoing projects: (1) Promotion of sustainable food systems (2022-2029), to create favorable conditions for transforming land use practices in the North Kazakhstan province; (2) Empowerment of Afghan women, phase 2 (2021-2026); (3) Attracting investors in the field of energy efficiency (2021-2026); (4) Reintroducing of Turan tiger (2021-2026), 5 specialists from the reserve and regional nature conservation institutions were trained in tiger reintroduction, equipment maintenance, and monitoring; (5) 7th Operational Phase of the GEF Small Grants Program (2022-2026); (6) Integration of climate risks into Kazakhstan’s Development Planning Processes (2024-2027); (7) Attracting investors in the field of energy efficiency (2021-2026); (8) Biodiversity Finance Initiative – Phase II (BIOFIN Kazakhstan) (2024-2030); (9) First Biennial Transparency Report and the 9th National Communication and a Second Biennial Transparency Report (2024-2028); (10) Umbrella Program to support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports (2024-2027), a three-day national seminar on coordination of key strategic documents in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction (October 29) and a consultation meeting on ongoing preparation of Kazakhstan’s 7th National Biodiversity Report (December 11) were held.

New projects: (1) «Developing a business ecosystem for sustainable irrigation in Kazakhstan; (2) Supporting the resilience of agricultural production and conserving ecosystems in Northern Kazakhstan (2025-2029); (3) Strengthening Kazakhstan’s preparedness for floods; (4) Flood control using integrated dam management system (2025-2027); (5) Climate promise Kazakhstan – from pledge to impact II (2025-2026).

With backing from the GEF and in cooperation with Kazakh MA and the National Company Food and Contract Corporation JSC, the UNDP is introducing a set of innovative agro-environmental financial instruments. The initiative is built on the premise that state support can act as a driver for environmental progress. Through long-term forward contracts, commodity loans, and research-based support, it promotes a resilient framework of shared benefits: farmers gain reliable market access, the State enhances food security, and the environment sees recovery in soil fertility and biodiversity.

Events. The following events were held: (1) 2nd meeting of the Coordination Council of Partners for the development of the water sector to review the Council’s activities over the past six months and discuss priority areas for sustainable water management (Astana, April 10); (2) climate agenda training for media representatives in Kazakhstan (June 5); (3) summer climate camp “Climate can’t wait” (July 10-14); (4) series of educational seminars on climate adaptation (August-September).

Source: open.undp.org/projects, UNDP in Kazakhstan

UNDP in Kyrgyzstan

The UNDP assists Kyrgyzstan in attaining national goals, such as fostering green economy, enhancing access to environmentally friendly financing, upgrading public governance systems, and adapting to climate change. In 2025, 31 projects worth $19.58 million were implemented.

Completed projects: (1) Advancing development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process for medium and long-term adaptation planning and implementation in the Kyrgyz Republic (2020-2025), a roundtable was held to discuss the draft NAP (Bishkek, March 19); (2) Respond to the climate emergency (2022-2025); (3) Capacity building in environment (2018-2025); (4) National SDGs Acceleration Support Platform (2018-2025); (5) UN support for strengthening disaster preparedness (2012-2025).

Ongoing projects: (1) Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in Southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits (2023-2028); (2) Preparation of Kyrgyzstan’s Initial Biennial Transparency Report and a combined Second Biennial Transparency Report to the UNFCCC (2024-2027). the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision presented its first Biennial Transparency Report; (3) Women of Ferghana Valley at the frontlines of climate resilience, adaptation and peace (2024-2026); (4) Biodiversity Finance Initiative - Phase II (BIOFIN Kyrgyzstan) (2024-2030); (5) Umbrella Program to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports (2024-2027); (6) GEF SGP 8th operational phase (2024-2028).

New projects: (1) Peace Forest Initiative (PFI) pilot project; (2) Strengthening nature conservation in the mountain areas of Central and Eastern Kyrgyzstan; (3) Enhancing the capacity of national financial institutions to access and deploy green and climate finance; (4) Enhancing the conservation in the Tian Shan mountain regions in Central and Eastern Kyrgyzstan (2025-2026).

Climate agenda and capacity building. As part of the “Climate Box” program, the UNDP handed over the educational and methodological kits to the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic in Kyrgyz and Russian languages, including educational game sets, as well as teaching manuals and guides to support extracurricular activities and project-based learning on climate change (Bishkek, March 11). A series of training sessions was held for teachers on the use of the “Climate Box” educational tool (October 16-30).

In 2025, Bishkek hosted: (1) national Digital4Climate.KG Hackathon, bringing together young developers, students, and professionals to co-create digital solutions for climate change adaptation and sustainable development (February 10); (2) International Scientific and Practical Conference on monitoring and forecasting climate-related natural disasters (April 11); (3) training on climate finance for commercial banks (May 22); (4) final event of the Youth Climate Caravan 2025 initiative aimed at actively involving young people in shaping the country's climate agenda. The Forum became an important step towards revising the national climate commitments – NDC 3.0 (July 1). The revised NDC 3.0 is a national climate plan that specifies the country’s approach to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change up to 2035. It was presented on October 10, 2025. The Eldik Bank and UNDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development, green economy, and innovative financial tools (Bishkek, September 9). The Crisis Management Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations received new equipment to modernize the early warning and disaster response system (Bishkek, June 20).

SDGs. The UNDP in partnership with the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic officially launched the Kyrgyzstan SDG Investor Map. It provides investors with detailed information on priority industries, market needs, and potential partners, enabling informed investment decisions. Kyrgyzstan is the first country in Central Asia to apply this globally recognized methodology (Bishkek, June 19).

Source: UNDP in Kyrgyzstan, open.undp.org/projects

UNDP in Tajikistan

As part of its 2023-2026 Country Program for Tajikistan, the UNDP renders assistance to achieve: (1) sustainable, inclusive, and green economic growth; (2) integrated management of climate and environmental risk and (3) people-centered governance and rule of law. In 2025, 36 projects worth $23.21 million were implemented.

Completed projects: (1) Empowerment for resilient communities in Tajikistan (2023-2025); (2) Technical support to Tajikistan water sector reform (2022-2025).

Ongoing projects: (1) Improvement of water resources management in Khatlon province (2022-2026); (2) Integrated landscape approach to enhancing the climate resilience of small-scale farmers and pastoralists in Tajikistan (2019-2027), weather stations were procured and are being installed; the Hydromet’s staff was trained in installation, utilization and maintenance of the AWS; (3) Conservation and sustainable management of high-value arid ecosystems in the Lower Amu Darya Basin (2023-2028); (4) Enabling an effective National Adaptation Plan (2020-2026); (5) Umbrella Program to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports (2024-2027); (6) Preparation of the 1st Biennial Transparency Report and the combined 5th National Communication and 2nd Biennial Transparency Report of the Republic of Tajikistan under Article 13 of the Paris Agreement to the UNFCCC (2024-2028); (7) Umbrella program to support development of biodiversity finance plans (2023-2027); (8) Empowering rural women through access to renewable energy via biodigesters (2024-2026).

New projects: (1) Support in updating Tajikistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the framework of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2025-2026); (2) Enhancing urban resilience to disaster risk and climate change in Central Asia (2025-2027), a regional urban resilience dialogue was held to launch the Regional Urban Resilience Coalition in Central Asia, a new cooperation mechanism (October 24, Dushanbe).

Source: UNDP in Tajikistan, open.undp.org/projects

UNDP in Turkmenistan

The focus areas of UNDP's work in Turkmenistan include assistance to better governance and inclusive economic growth, greater country resilience and adaptation to adverse effects of climate change. In 2025, 35 projects worth $63.11 million were implemented. Since November 2025, Turkmenistan is implementing a new UNDP Country Program for 2026–2030, outlining main directions of cooperation with the Government, civil society, business, and international partners in the area of sustainable development.

Завершенные проекты: (1) Sustainable cities in Turkmenistan: integrated green urban development in Ashgabat and Awaza (2017-2025), an International Conference “Status of neutrality – a guarantee of sustainable energy development. Systems thinking for comprehensive analysis of energy and climate" was held in Mary (April 4); (2) Developing a National Adaptation Planning Process (2021-2025). Сa high level final conference was held in Ashgabat (April 10); (3) «Strengthening national capacity on DRR seismic risk assessment, prevention and respond to potential earthquakes and associated cascading emergencies (2018-2025), Turkmenistan developed the first GIS based seismic hazard and risk platforms, conducted microzonation and infrastructure assessments, and generated actionable risk data to guide urban planning and disaster preparedness.

Ongoing projects: (1) Conservation and sustainable management of land resources and high value ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for multiple benefits (2021-2027), development of the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NAPCD) is in progress; regional LDN baseline and target Dashoguz and Lebap LDN are ready for validation and endorsement through NAPCD; amendments to the Land Code introducing LDN concept were submitted for approval; methodologies for irrigating saline lands and installing water accounting systems were commissioned (2024-2025); (3) Support to policy making and building national capacity towards green energy transition in Turkmenistan (2024-2026); (4) Biodiversity Finance Plan (2024-2028); (5) Partnering for SDG acceleration, phase III (2021-2024). Two-day workshop on the localization was launched in Ashgabat (October 23-24); (6) Umbrella Program to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports (2024-2027). a series of regional consultations were held in the administrative centers of Mary, Dashoguz, Balkan, and Lebap velayats of Turkmenistan (October-September).

New projects: (1) NDC 3.0 (2025-2025). A national workshop was held to discuss the process of updating the NDC 3.0; 55 trainings were held for national stakeholders to build technical knowledge and practical skills, thereby strengthening institutional capacity to monitor and report methane emissions effectively and in alignment with international standards; (2) Umbrella Program to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans.

A regional “Enhancing urban resilience to disaster risks and climate change in Central Asia” project funded by the Government of Japan was launched. The participants reviewed proposed initial framework for Ashgabat’s urban resilience roadmap and discussed establishment of a technical working group and a proposed timeline to support its implementation (Ashgabat, July 10-11).

Sourceи: UNDP in Turkmenistan, open.undp.org/projects

UNDP in Uzbekistan

The focus areas of UNDP activities in Uzbekistan are strongly aligned with the National Development Strategy of Uzbekistan (2022-2026) and include programs to promote effective democratic governance, achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, sustain a clean environment, take action for the climate, and advocate for gender equality. In 2025, 46 projects worth $25.43 million were implemented.

In 2025, the UNDP wrapped up its 2021-2025 Country Program providing development support in the amount of $105 million and mobilizing $115.4 million to deliver climate action, accountable governance, and inclusive growth. Key results for 2025 include: (1) 6.5 million people now receive early warnings strengthening community preparedness; (2) 2.7 thousand people in remote rural communities gained access to safe water; (3) local partners rehabilitated 30 ha of degraded land and established 11 ha of forest fruit plantations, strengthening biodiversity, controlling erosion, and restoring ecosystem across the Aral Sea region; (4) the EU-funded AGRIN project implemented 18 innovations that reduced water and energy use by up to 55%, increased yields by 20-25%, rehabilitated saline soils, cut GHG-emissions by up to 80%, as well as increased incomes in women-led dairy households by up to 300%; (5) the Green Aral Sea crowdfunding platform has planted a total of 823,000 saxaul trees across 658.2 ha; (6) with the French Development Agency, the UNDP supported Uzbekistan’s first sovereign green bonds and helped select eligible green projects.

Contribution to SDGs

Completed projects: (1) Supporting an inclusive transition to a “green” economy in the agri-food sector and development of a “climate-smart” Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System (UAKIS) (2021-2025); (2) Supporting self-reliance through climate- resilient agriculture in the Aral Sea Region (2023-2025); (3) romoting just energy transition in Uzbekistan (2024-2025).

Ongoing projects: (1) Enhancing multi-hazard early warning system to increase resilience of Uzbekistan communities to climate change-induced hazards (2021-2027); (2) Promoting sustainable rural development in the Aral Sea region to sustain the environmental disaster (2022-2026); (3) UNDP Component B: Consultancy services for rural infrastructure development - Community empowerment, Phase II (2024-2026), regional market diagnostics/assessment of local business capacities was carried out; functions of local authorities and 18 communities were reviewed; (4) Conservation and sustainable management of lakes, wetlands, and riparian corridors as pillars of a resilient Aral basin landscape supporting sustainable livelihoods (2022- 2026). 6 outreach and training events were held to raise awareness and strengthen technical knowledge on integrated and biodiversity friendly management of land and water resources and wetlands ecosystem services; (5) Building knowledge and skills of local partners and communities to address environmental insecurities through innovative air, land, and water management solutions in the Aral Sea Region (2024-2026); (6) Promoting green urban development in Tashkent city through accelerating investments in low emission infrastructure (2021-2027); (7) Umbrella Program to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports (2024-2027); (8) Support to financing green development in Uzbekistan (2024-2026); (9) Biodiversity Finance Initiative – Phase II (BIOFIN Uzbekistan) (2024-2030).

New projects: (1) Integrated conservation management and restoration of high-value landscapes in Uzbekistan (2025-2031); (2) Empowering and nurturing leadership skills of youth through climate action education in Uzbekistan (2025-2027); (3) Modelling climate resilience and WASH in schools for equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments (2025-2029); (4) Empowering and nurturing leadership skills of youth through climate action education in Uzbekistan (2025-2027); (5) Addressing the climate crisis and human security through NDC planning and implementation (2025-2026).

Source: UNDP in Uzbekistan, open.undp.org/projects