UN: Central Asian countries should expand cooperation in the transition to a circular economy

April 22, 2026 Economic development

“Extraction-Production-Emission”

According to her, the current model of consumption and production, based on the principle “extracted – produced – thrown away,” is unsustainable. Today, extraction and processing of resources account for more than half of global greenhouse gas emissions and up to 40 percent of air pollution by particulate matter. Moreover, these processes result in large-scale loss of biodiversity.

“If we continue to follow a linear model, by 2060 global resource extraction could increase by 60 percent,” Andersen warned. A similar problem awaits Central Asia, whose population, according to forecasts, will approach 100 million people by the middle of the century.

Economic inevitability

In these conditions, transitioning to a circular economy becomes not only an ecological necessity but also an economic one. Such a transition implies the reduction of waste through reuse, repair, recycling, and more efficient design of goods and services.

As the head of UNEP emphasized, the implementation of circular models can open new markets, create jobs, and strengthen the economy. According to international experts’ assessments, the global GDP with such a transition can grow by three percent above the expected level, and the use of materials can decrease by 30 percent. At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by more than 80 percent. The International Labour Organization predicts that the circular economy will help create at least seven million new jobs by 2030. “This will be a great victory for people and the planet,” Andersen emphasized.

Private and public sector

Steps are already being taken to manage emotions in Central Asia; however, as Andersen noted, this is not enough. It is necessary to move on to new business models that allow reducing emotional education at all stages – from design to consumption.

Governments also play a key role in this process. Among the effective tools are tax and financial incentives, government procurement, and systems of extended producer responsibility. Public financial institutions, in turn, can support market development, especially for small and medium enterprises and innovative startups.

Special attention is proposed to be paid to such areas as plastic production, construction, electronics, and agriculture. An important area is also the rational use of minerals.

Mineral reserves in Central Asia

Central Asia possesses significant mineral resource reserves: the region accounts for about 39 percent of the world’s manganese ore deposits, 30 percent of chrome, 20 percent of lead, 13 percent of zinc, and 9 percent of titanium. This makes the issue of sustainable and efficient use especially relevant in the context of energy transition and growing demand for raw materials.

Regional cooperation

Andersen emphasized that regional cooperation can significantly accelerate the transition to a cyclical economy. Coordinated policies of countries will allow for more effective implementation of climate and environmental commitments, as well as stimulate the development of ecological tourism and reduce the use of single-use plastics. He recalled that UNEP already has experience cooperating with countries of the region, particularly in the field of tourism.

Separately, Andersen noted the initiative to create a regional partnership platform in the field of circular economy. This mechanism can unite the countries of Central Asia and strengthen the exchange of experience, investments, and technologies.

“This is a unique opportunity for the region to take a step forward and turn sustainable development into a source of economic growth,” emphasized the head of UNEP.

YUNEP, according to its words, is ready to support the countries of the region in implementing these initiatives jointly with international partners.