Central Asian States Sign Statement on Mountain Ecosystems

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An international high-level event titled “From ecological corridors to communities: a regional vision for wildlife conservation and sustainable landscapes in Central Asia” was held in Samarkand as part of the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The session brought together heads of relevant ministries and agencies from across the region, including Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov, as well as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Marcos Neto.

The main outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Joint Expression of Interest by representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to advance coordinated efforts on sustainable management of mountain ecosystems.

During the discussions, participants noted that transboundary ecosystems in Central Asia serve as habitats for globally significant rare species, including the snow leopard, argali, and saiga.

It was emphasized that mountain areas play a key role in maintaining ecological balance, preserving transboundary water systems, and supporting the livelihoods of local communities.

At the same time, environmental stability in the region is under threat due to climate change, land degradation, fragmentation of natural habitats, and increasing human–wildlife conflict, requiring a coordinated regional approach.

Special attention was given to mobilizing resources under the new Global Environment Facility funding cycle (GEF-9).

Potential investments are expected to support the protection of transboundary ecological corridors, the development of sustainable income sources for communities in mountainous areas, and the creation of integrated monitoring systems.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to balancing environmental protection with socio-economic development and agreed to strengthen joint practical efforts to achieve global conservation goals.