Current Issues of Climate Change Discussed at an International Workshop at Al-Farabi KazNU

On November 5, 2026, an international project workshop entitled “Regenerative Tourism Education, Climate Adaptation, and Regional Perspectives” was held at the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The event was organized within the framework of the international project “Advancing Regenerative Tourism Education: A Transnational University Partnership for Climate Adaptation in Central Asia and the South Caucasus,” funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The workshop brought together representatives of the scientific and academic communities from Kazakhstan, Germany, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan, providing a platform for discussing current issues related to climate change, environmental sustainability, rational use of natural resources, and the development of regenerative tourism. Particular attention was paid to regional adaptation to climate change, the assessment of natural and environmental risks, the conservation of natural ecosystems, and the application of modern scientific approaches and technologies to ensure sustainable territorial development.

PhD students Meruyert Makhambetova and Gulnur Musralinova from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, actively participated in the international workshop, presenting the results of their scientific research on climate change, natural and environmental risk assessment, and atmospheric air quality.

Meruyert Makhambetova delivered a scientific presentation entitled “Assessment of Wildfire Susceptibility under Climate Change.” The research focused on the assessment of the susceptibility of natural areas to wildfires under changing climatic conditions. This research area is of particular importance for understanding climate-related natural hazards, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and improving approaches to the prevention of natural disasters.

Gulnur Musralinova presented a scientific report entitled “Air Quality in the Atyrau Region in the Context of Regional Climate Change.” The presentation addressed issues related to atmospheric air quality and its assessment in the context of regional climate change. The relevance of this topic is determined by the need for a comprehensive assessment of environmental conditions, an improved understanding of the relationships between climatic processes and air quality, and scientific support for environmental protection measures.

The presented studies highlighted the importance of a comprehensive investigation of climatic and environmental processes for assessing the vulnerability of natural areas, enhancing regional environmental sustainability, and developing scientifically grounded approaches to environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

The workshop also addressed issues related to sustainable tourism development, the impacts of climate change on natural ecosystems, the application of geographic information technologies and remote sensing methods, as well as prospects for international scientific cooperation in environmental research.

The organization of such international scientific events contributes to strengthening the research potential of early-career scientists, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanding international scientific cooperation at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in the fields of climatology and environmental sustainability.