Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to cooperate on protecting the saiga population and restoring its natural habitat, signing a memorandum at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya. The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan reported the agreement.
The memorandum was signed by Aziz Abdukhakimov, chairman of Uzbekistan’s National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources A. Kuantyrov.
The two countries plan to jointly monitor saiga numbers and migration, exchange scientific and technical information and expertise, and carry out research projects.
Cooperation will also focus on combating poaching and illegal trade, as well as conserving and restoring the saiga’s natural habitat.
The memorandum provides for the development of transboundary protected areas and migration corridors, alongside the restoration of natural pastures and water bodies.
The countries also intend to develop saiga reintroduction programmes in areas where the species previously lived. Planned activities include field research, population monitoring and training events.
According to Uzbekistan’s National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, the agreement is aimed at coordinating conservation measures and protecting biodiversity in Central Asia.
