Natural disasters have inflicted a staggering $2 trillion in economic damage worldwide over the last decade, with Tajikistan alone suffering losses exceeding $500 million since 2014. This alarming data comes from a report by Oxera commissioned for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ahead of the upcoming COP-29 in Baku [a009d95f]. The report analyzed 4,000 extreme weather events from 2014 to 2023, revealing that the United States incurred the highest losses at $934.7 billion, followed by China at $267.9 billion and India at $112 billion. Notably, $451 billion in damages were recorded in just the last two years [a009d95f].
John Denton, Secretary-General of the ICC, emphasized the immediate economic impacts of climate change, stating that Central Asia faces average annual losses of around $10 billion due to natural disasters [a009d95f]. In the first half of 2024 alone, Tajikistan reported disaster-related damages exceeding $12 million, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of the region [a009d95f]. Over the past 27 years, 123 disasters in Central Asia have resulted in losses totaling $2.4 billion, with Tajikistan's total disaster-related losses surpassing $1.8 billion, affecting over 80% of its population [a009d95f].
The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive climate strategies and disaster preparedness, particularly in regions like Tajikistan that are disproportionately affected by climate-related events. As the global community prepares for COP-29, the economic ramifications of climate change and natural disasters remain a pressing concern for policymakers and citizens alike [a009d95f].