Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, July 31, 2025 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Director-General Mr. Sang-Hyup Kim participated in the 2^nd Asia National Assembly Water Consultative Board (AAWC) Climate & Water Roundtable and the the 8^th AAWC Board Meeting, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on July 30-31. These events were hosted to enhance regional cooperation among a vast array of stakeholders to address water security and water challenges across Asia, with a focus on building effective climate action and financing climate adaptation.

On July 30, Director General Kim participated in the 2nd Climate and Water Roundtable hosted under the framework of the AAWC. The roundtable brought together parliamentarians, government officials and climate policy experts from nine Asian countries to share perspectives on strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, water security, and financing for climate adaptation.

The event culminated with signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading climate and water organizations — Asia National Assembly Water Consultative Board (AAWC), the Asia Water Council (AWC), Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco), Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the National Institute of Green Technology (NIGT), creating a platform for coordinated action in climate and water management, research, and the exchange of technical and institutional knowledge.

“Across Asia, the impacts of climate change are felt most acutely through water. This is not a distant threat; it is the present reality for millions of people, and the leadership gathered in this room understands this better than anyone,” stated Director-General Kim highlighting the critical importance of enhanced water management across Asia.

“The scale of the challenge is immense, but so is the capacity for collective action. Let us remember the wisdom in the old Russian proverb: ‘One person in the field is not a warrior (Один в поле не воин / Odin v pole ne voin).’ Together, with the combined strength of the nations represented here, we are a formidable force for positive change,” Director-General Kim added.

On July 31, Director-General Kim participated in the 8th AAWC Board Meeting where AAWC members reviewed critical organizational matters including new membership applications and plans for joint research and policy development. This meeting was marked by signing Bishkek Statement, where AAWC members and representatives of legislative bodies from across Asia declared their commitment to advancing the 2030 Agenda by aligning national policies with global goals, strengthening cooperation across sectors, and using legislative tools to ensure accountability in water and climate action—particularly toward achieving SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Speaking to the pressing challenges facing the region, Director-General Kim underscored the fundamental importance of water as both a life-sustaining resource and a cornerstone of regional stability. “You only know the value of water and friendship when they are gone,” stated Director-General Kim. “This is especially true here in Central Asia, where recent water scarcity issues have highlighted the urgent need for cross-border cooperation.”

GGGI opened its country office in Kyrgyzstan in 2024 and has been implementing one of the largest climate adaptation projects in Asia within the country, with a total investment of $10 Million. Looking ahead, GGGI is committed to supporting robust regional cooperation on climate adaptation across Central Asia.

About the GGGI Country Program in the Kyrgyz Republic

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. In 2020, the Kyrgyz Republic became the 37th member of GGGI, followed by the opening of the country office in Bishkek in 2024.  GGGI works closely with key government partners, including the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, to advance the country’s green growth and climate resilience.

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(GGGI Kyrgyz Republic)

Hye Ryung (Hayley) Seo

Senior Officer-Climate Resilience-Central Asia/Project Manager

+996 770 299 946 I hyeryung.seo@gggi.org

(GGGI Seoul HQ)

Na Yoon Kang

Senior Assistant, Communications & Knowledge Sharing Unit

+82 10 9530 0338 | nayoon.kang@gggi.org