Central Asian Nations Strengthen Biodiversity and Forest Initiatives Ahead of RES 2026
Central Asian countries held a preparatory meeting in Almaty from February 25–27 to advance regional cooperation on biodiversity conservation, forest restoration, and transboundary environmental challenges ahead of the Regional Ecological Summit 2026. The meeting was organized by the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, with support from the United Nations Development Program and the German Agency for International Cooperation. Delegates from the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside international organizations, participated, according to the ministry’s press service.
Participants reviewed two complementary regional initiatives—Green Shield and Harmony with Nature for Sustainable Development of the Region—which will be consolidated and presented at RES 2026, culminating in the signing of a joint declaration and resolution. Key discussions focused on transboundary biodiversity conservation, restoration of mountain, saxaul, and tugai forests, combating land degradation and desertification, and developing coordinated mechanisms for mobilizing financial resources.
Delegates highlighted the global significance of Central Asia’s natural capital, including the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai ecosystems, steppes, deserts, and wetlands, which provide habitats for species such as snow leopards, goitered gazelles, kulan, and argali. They also noted that the region faces increasing climate and environmental pressures affecting food and water security, public health, and infrastructure resilience.
Photo credit: gov.kz
