Rethinking Migration: Climate Change and Adaptation in Central Asia's Vulnerable Landscapes Guest Speaker - Asel Murzakulova Senior research fellow GSD UCA

Central Asia, with its arid and semi-arid climate and status as one of the most remittance-dependent regions globally, faces a unique convergence of challenges in the context of climate change and migration. While the economic impacts of migration—such as poverty reduction, improved livelihoods, and migrant investments—have been widely studied since the region's independence, a critical piece of the puzzle often goes missing: the role of environmental and climate factors in shaping human mobility dynamics.
Ranked among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world (IPCC, 2019), Central Asia is grappling with the profound social and environmental consequences of a warming planet. Yet, the intricate ways in which climate change intersects with migration and other social dynamics remain largely uncharted territory in academic research (Blondin, 2019; Vakulchuk et al., 2022). This study addresses this critical gap by turning its focus to Kyrgyzstan's three distinct agroecological zones, providing a nuanced lens on how climate change impacts local communities.
This research maps existing adaptation strategies and evaluates their strengths and shortcomings within the broader context of human mobility patterns. By investigating the environmental, social, and institutional factors influencing these dynamics, the study offers fresh insights into the interdependencies of climate change and human mobility.
More importantly, this research seeks to chart a course for action by identifying sub-national adaptation strategies and mitigation approaches that are both practical and equitable. By building a deeper understanding of the region's challenges, this work aims to support communities in Central Asia in navigating an uncertain future shaped by the dual forces of climate change and migration.

Speaker: Dr Asel Murzakulova is a Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead at the Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia. She has extensive work experience with governmental, international, and civil organizations in Central Asia. In 2008, she was a visiting scholar at the Davis Center at Harvard University, and in 2013, at the Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies at the University of California in Berkeley. In 2023 she was visiting scholar at IRES Uppsala University. Her research covers borders, human mobility and environmental change, natural resource management, adaptation, and ontological (in)security.

Email [email protected] for the link