Central Asian Nations Strengthen Biodiversity and Forest Cooperation Ahead of RES 2026
Central Asian countries convened in Almaty on February 25–27 for a preparatory meeting in advance of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026, focusing on regional coordination in biodiversity conservation, forest restoration, and transboundary environmental management.
The meeting was organized by the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, with support from the United Nations Development Program and GIZ, and included representatives from the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Delegates reviewed and consolidated two regional initiatives — Green Shield and Harmony with Nature for Sustainable Development of the Region — to be presented at RES 2026, with the adoption of a joint declaration and resolution.
Key topics included transboundary biodiversity protection, restoration of mountain, saxaul, and tugai forests, combating land degradation and desertification, and developing coordinated financing mechanisms. Participants emphasized the global ecological importance of Central Asia’s ecosystems, including the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai, which support species such as snow leopards, goitered gazelles, kulan, and argali, while highlighting growing environmental and climate pressures impacting food, water, and public health security.
The meeting concluded with agreements to finalize project documents, define objectives, and establish coordination and financing frameworks to ensure the practical implementation of initiatives at RES 2026.
Photo credit: gov.kz
