The opening of the seventh Meeting of Ministers and Experts on Environmental Issues of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states took place in Bishkek. At the event, the Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, Akyl Toktobaev, presented a report that addressed important aspects of the environmental and climate agenda.
In his speech, Akyl Toktobaev emphasized that environmental protection is one of the main tasks on the international stage, and sustainable economic development is impossible without the protection of natural resources and ecosystems.
He noted that the SCO region unites diverse natural landscapes, from mountains to steppes, and sustains the lives of hundreds of millions of people; however, ecosystems are under threat due to climatic and anthropogenic factors.
Climate change was a particular focus, representing one of the most serious challenges for the countries in this region. The consequences of this process are especially significant for Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country.
“Despite the low level of greenhouse gas emissions, Kyrgyzstan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Strategic documents have been developed for this purpose, including national development and adaptation plans, and mechanisms for transparency are being implemented under the Paris Agreement,” the minister noted.He also emphasized that for Kyrgyzstan, as well as for other developing countries, it is important to ensure equitable access to climate financing, modern technologies, and capacity building.
The minister specifically addressed the promotion of the mountain agenda. At the initiative of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution “Sustainable Mountain Development” for 2023-2027, declaring this period as the Decade of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions.
Kyrgyzstan continues to be a platform for international dialogue; in 2021, Bishkek hosted a conference on sustainable development of mountain regions with the participation of over 50 countries.
Additionally, Akyl Toktobaev announced plans to hold the second Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek+20” in 2027 and expressed hope for support from SCO countries.
The minister invited the participants of the meeting to actively engage in the upcoming forum and contribute to the development of cooperation in the field of sustainable development of mountain regions.
