December 2, 2023, Dubai, UAE – Today, Tetra Tech ES, Inc., the implementer of the USAID Power Central Asia activity, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with KazMunayGas, Kazakhstan’s national operator of the oil and gas industry across the entire production cycle—from exploration and production of hydrocarbons to transportation, refining, and provision of maintenance services. Under the Memorandum, the USAID Power Central Asia activity and KazMunayGas will join forces to address and reduce the emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Ms. Aliya Shalabekova, Head of the Low Carbon Development Department, KazMunayGas, and Mr. Andriy Mitskan, Chief of Party of the USAID Power Central Asia activity, signed the Memorandum at the Central Asia Pavilion at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). During the signing ceremony, Mr. Mitskan stated, “We take pride in our partnership with Central Asian governments and energy companies in the development of low-carbon development strategies, reducing methane emissions, and the promotion of the clean energy transition. The document being signed today is an excellent example of this work in action, with USAID working in partnership with KazMunayGas to help the company reduce its carbon footprint.”

Methane emissions have become a critical focal point in discussions surrounding the oil and gas sector. While carbon dioxide remains the primary contributor to long-term climate change due to its sheer volume and persistent presence in the atmosphere, reducing methane can yield substantial and swift benefits in mitigating near-term climate impacts. The oil and gas industry’s efforts to minimize methane emissions align with a collective commitment to combat climate change and its immediate consequences, and the United States is committed to working closely with the national governments and energy companies in Central Asia, and beyond, to address this critical issue.

The USAID Power Central Asia activity is a 5-year regional energy program that is assisting the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to meet their economic priorities through the energy sector. The USAID Power Central Asia activity aims to support improved energy sector performance, introduce clean energy in a competitive manner, and improve energy security and resiliency through greater regional connectivity and expanded cross-border electricity trade. To date, through this Activity alone, USAID has leveraged $2.2 billion in clean energy investments and facilitated the installation of 2,241 Megawatts of clean energy capacity across Central Asia.

“We are proud that USAID is the lead donor organization assisting Central Asia to reduce its energy sector methane emissions,” said USAID Regional Mission Director Luis Rivera. “We are partnered with Central Asia to increase renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce harmful emissions, thus improving the health and livelihoods of all people of Central Asia.” Over the past decade, USAID has played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for an economically viable market-based regional power system in Central Asian countries. The USAID Power Central Asia activity is working with a range of local and regional partners to build local capacity, facilitate cooperation, and support market-based solutions from the private sector.

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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. For more information, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional and USAID’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAIDCentralAsia.