Participants of the meeting discussed important ecological challenges of the region
A preliminary meeting dedicated to the Regional Environmental Summit of Central Asian countries (RES-2026) took place in Almaty from February 25 to 27, 2026. The event was organized by the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan with the support of the United Nations Development Programme and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The meeting gathered representatives from Central Asian countries: the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as international organizations and partners such as UNDP, FAO, GIZ, UNEP, UNESCO, WWF, and IUCN, along with representatives from the secretariats of international conventions.
Opening the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, D. Turgambaev, emphasized the importance of joint efforts by Central Asian countries in biodiversity conservation, restoration of forest ecosystems, and overcoming transboundary environmental issues.
During the event, participants discussed the development of two complementary regional initiatives: "Green Shield" and "Harmony with Nature for the Benefit of Sustainable Development of the Region." These initiatives are planned to be presented and formalized within the framework of RES-2026, including the signing of relevant declarations and resolutions.
The discussion also covered important aspects of transboundary biodiversity conservation, restoration of forest ecosystems, including mountain forests and saxaul forests, as well as combating land degradation and desertification, including the establishment of a financing system.
Participants of the meeting emphasized that Central Asia possesses unique natural resources, including the ecosystems of the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alai mountains, as well as steppes and wetlands, which are home to rare species such as the snow leopard and kulan. However, the region faces serious climate and environmental challenges that affect food and water security, public health, and infrastructure resilience.
At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to refine the project documents, clarify the logistics of the results, and establish coordination mechanisms to prepare solutions for practical implementation at RES-2026. The Almaty meeting became a significant step in forming a coordinated position of Central Asian countries on biodiversity issues, forest restoration, and nature-based solutions to ensure regional sustainability.
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