Ainur Argynbekova addresses the conference in Astana, 2 December 2025ASTANA, 3 December 2025 — Ainur Argynbekova, Senator of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Climate Change, participated yesterday in the National Conference “Women, Peace and Security: Lessons Learned and Next Steps,” organized by the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.
The event brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, the diplomatic community, academia, and civil society to assess the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for 2022–2025 and to define priorities for the coming period.
Speaking at the opening session of the conference, Argynbekova emphasized the growing interconnection between climate change and security, noting that environmental pressures increasingly influence socio-economic sustainability, food and water security, and regional stability. She drew attention to the fact that climate risks often exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, especially for women in rural communities, who are among the first to experience the consequences of environmental stress, underscoring that the Women, Peace and Security agenda and climate diplomacy must evolve in a complementary and mutually reinforcing manner.
“In a rapidly changing climate, the impact of environmental factors on security becomes ever more tangible,” she stated. “Climate change can deepen socio-economic imbalances, affect food and water security, and sharpen transboundary water tensions. In these conditions, the need for comprehensive and sustainable approaches is growing.”
Argynbekova highlighted the Assembly’s focus on integrating gender-responsive approaches into climate policy and peace and security efforts. As Special Representative, her priorities include strengthening Central Asian regional co-operation on water diplomacy — particularly in the Aral Sea and Caspian regions — and advancing inclusive, gender-sensitive climate policies that ensure meaningful participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in decision-making. She reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to building climate resilience and increasing women’s role in public policy, noting the 2026 Regional Climate Summit as a key national and regional initiative.
Participants of the conference discussed women’s role in the security sector, the integration of gender approaches into law enforcement, Kazakhstan’s peacekeeping contributions, and international practices within the OSCE framework. The event concluded with the adoption of recommendations and a shared commitment to further co-operation aimed at reinforcing the country's and the region’s resilience to climate, peace, and security challenges.
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