Project Update
OSCE advances workforce development and regional cooperation to advance renewable energy in Central Asia
- Issued on:
- Issued by:
- Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) convened a high-level session on “Workforce Development and Research Cooperation to Advance Renewable Energy in Central Asia” on 23 April 2026, at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana.
The session brought together over 60 representatives from Ministries of Energy and Education, renewable energy associations, technical universities, and private sector companies from across Central Asia. Organized in partnership with the European Union–GIZ projects and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the event focused on strengthening regional cooperation to support a secure and inclusive energy transition.
Participants discussed the growing demand for skilled professionals in the renewable energy sector and the need to better align education systems with evolving industry requirements. The discussion was informed by the findings of a recent OSCE study, which highlighted the urgent need to address skills and educational gaps to harness the region’s strong job creation potential in renewable energy, ultimately supporting energy security.
A key outcome of the session was the advancement of concrete capacity-building efforts under the OSCE Regional Task Force on Education for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition (RTEET). Five technical universities are now piloting a new regional course developed by the OSCE on renewable energy integration into power systems. Previously unavailable in the region, the course is designed to equip students with practical and future-oriented skills.
The event also strengthened regional cooperation and ownership of this OSCE initiative through the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding between universities, aimed at fostering joint curriculum development, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
By bringing together policymakers, academia, and industry, the session contributed to building a shared understanding of workforce priorities and laid the groundwork for a more resilient, inclusive, and investment-ready energy transition in Central Asia.
The activity was implemented in the framework of the OSCE project on Promoting women’s economic empowerment in the energy sector in Central Asia, financed by Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom.