According to the press service of the Ministry of Nature, this event has become an important platform for cooperation among representatives of business, sports organizations, government structures, and ecological initiatives.
Among the attendees were Dinara Kemelova, the special representative of the president for the implementation of the Decade of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, and Meder Mashiev, the Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision.
The event will feature panel discussions covering the following topics:
- The national strategy and action plan for the conservation of biodiversity in Kyrgyzstan as a foundation for sustainable development and partnerships;
- Business participation in nature conservation. The role of finance and "green" investments — the contribution of banks and entrepreneurs to biodiversity conservation;
- Ecology and sports. "Sports as a tool for promoting ecotourism" — a presentation of upcoming sports events under the snow leopard brand, including tournaments, marathons, and festivals.
Kemelova emphasized that the International Snow Leopard Day is being celebrated for the first time since its establishment by the UN General Assembly last year at the initiative of Kyrgyzstan and its partners.
"It is important to note that the initiative to establish this day belongs to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov. For Kyrgyzstan, the snow leopard is not only a rare species but also our national symbol, which was officially recognized by a presidential decree in 2023. It is part of our cultural identity and a reminder of the connection between humans and nature," she added.
The snow leopard is considered a rare and endangered species. Currently, this species is found in 12 countries around the world. In Kyrgyzstan, the snow leopard is listed in the Red Book and the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is one of the most protected animals in the country, facing threats from poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. In 2023, it was recognized as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan by presidential decree to draw attention to conservation issues. Strict measures are in place in Kyrgyzstan for illegal hunting of the snow leopard.
