Central Asia Signs Biodiversity Cooperation Declaration

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A high-level session dedicated to launching the Central Asian initiative “Harmony with Nature for Regional Sustainability” was held as part of the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, focusing on strengthening synergy and coordinated action in biodiversity conservation.

The event brought together representatives of environmental agencies from Central Asian countries, international organizations, and partner institutions, serving as a key platform for developing coordinated approaches to the protection of the region’s unique natural heritage.

In his address, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and Chair of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved priority directions of state policy in biodiversity conservation.

He highlighted an initiative to develop a “Central Asian Red Book,” which is expected to serve not only as a list of endangered species but also as a coordination platform for joint regional action.

It was also noted that Uzbekistan is implementing a nationwide “Bionaslediye” project. As part of agreements reached, joint work has begun with Kazakhstan on restoring the saiga population in transboundary areas.

At the same time, Uzbekistan is developing an updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan through 2040 in line with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

During the session, participants emphasized that a range of transboundary environmental challenges are being addressed through cooperation between regional countries, the United Nations, and international environmental institutions.

The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Inger Andersen, stressed the need to consolidate efforts to respond effectively to current environmental challenges.

Special attention was given to the transboundary nature of biodiversity protection. Participants noted that migration routes of species such as saiga antelope, snow leopard, goitered gazelle, and kulan span multiple countries, requiring coordinated regional solutions.

Against the backdrop of accelerating climate change, land degradation, and increasing human pressure on ecosystems, joint science-based measures were identified as a decisive factor for conservation efforts.

During the session, the initiative “Harmony with Nature for Regional Sustainability” was officially launched. It aims to strengthen cooperation and consolidate resources across Central Asia and is based on national biodiversity strategies and international commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The practical outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Regional Declaration on Cooperation in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management. The parties also launched the development of a Regional Umbrella Program and Action Plan, including mechanisms for financial resource mobilization, as well as the establishment of a regional working group to coordinate joint initiatives.

Uzbekistan’s active role in advancing the regional environmental agenda was also highlighted. The country consistently promotes the principle that “nature knows no borders,” chairs the Central Asian Initiative for Mammals (CAMI) until 2032, and has initiated major international processes.

These include hosting the CMS COP14 conference in Samarkand, which adopted the Samarkand Strategic Plan, and the CITES COP20 conference, where the Samarkand Declaration and a regional action plan against illegal wildlife trade were adopted.

Among future priorities is the preparation of a joint regional program under the new Global Environment Facility funding cycle (GEF-9), focused on the conservation of large predators and strengthening the resilience of mountain ecosystems.