Kyrgyzstan, a Global Leader in the Protection of Mountain Ecosystems

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Kyrgyzstan, a Global Leader in the Protection of Mountain Ecosystems

Aware of the fundamental role played by mountain ecosystems both for biodiversity preservation and for the socio-economic well-being of mountain populations Kyrgyzstan has emerged in recent years as one of the most committed actors in global environmental diplomacy.

What’s New in Kyrgyzstan?

By Kadir Duran

Kyrgyzstan, a Global Leader in the Protection of Mountain Ecosystems

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Aware of the fundamental role played by mountain ecosystems both for biodiversity preservation and for the socio-economic well-being of mountain populations Kyrgyzstan has emerged in recent years as one of the most committed actors in global environmental diplomacy.
Under the leadership of President Sadyr Japarov, the country has put forward several ambitious initiatives within the United Nations to firmly anchor the mountain agenda in international climate priorities.

 

Strong Diplomatic Activism at the United Nations

Since 2021, Kyrgyzstan has played a key role in the adoption of major resolutions aimed at protecting mountain regions:

2021 – Nature Knows No Borders

Adopted by the UN General Assembly, this resolution emphasizes the importance of cross-border cooperation for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity.

2021 – Strengthening Glacier Monitoring

Adoption of a UNESCO resolution to intensify scientific research on mountain glaciers, whose accelerated melting threatens the hydrological balance of all Central Asia.

2022 – International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development

A historic milestone that raised global awareness about the environmental and socio-economic risks faced by mountain populations.

2022 – 2023–2027: Five Years of Action for the Mountains

A new UN General Assembly resolution declaring a five-year cycle dedicated to promoting sustainable development in mountain regions, reinforcing the international community’s commitment to these vulnerable territories.

Today, Kyrgyzstan is advocating for an annual global dialogue on mountains and climate, integrated into the UNFCCC process a strategic initiative to ensure that challenges facing high-altitude regions receive the same attention as oceans or tropical forests.

A Country Shaped by Mountains: Wealth and Vulnerability

Located in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a country where 94% of the territory lies above 1,000 meters.
These mountains are more than a symbol: they sustain the livelihoods of the country’s 7 million inhabitants and provide vital water resources to neighboring states.

Yet these once-stable mountain ranges now face an unprecedented crisis.

 

A Region Warming Twice as Fast as the Global Average

Scientific data is alarming:

• In Central Asia, temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average.

• Kyrgyz glaciers have lost roughly 16% of their mass over the past 70 years.

• These glaciers are a crucial source of drinking water for millions across the region.

Diminished glacial flows directly affect rivers feeding downstream countries — a reality that concerns not only Kyrgyzstan but all of Central Asia.
This phenomenon, observed in mountain regions worldwide, threatens water security, agriculture, and social stability.

 

Natural Disasters and Increased Risks

Due to climate change, mountain regions disproportionately face:

• mudflows

• floods

• landslides

• avalanches

• droughts

• forest fires

These increasingly frequent disasters endanger human lives, destroy infrastructure, and weaken local economies.

 

A Threat to the Economy and Social Stability

Climate change affects not only Kyrgyzstan’s natural resources but its entire economic model, which depends heavily on:

• glacial water, essential for agriculture and hydropower;

• agriculture, representing 23% of GDP and already suffering from desertification, loss of pastures, and extreme weather events;

• energy production, a strategic pillar of the country.

Accelerated glacier melt therefore poses a major risk to the food, energy, and water security of Kyrgyzstan and all of Central Asia.

 

Conclusion : Kyrgyzstan, an Essential Voice in the Global Climate Debate

Through its repeated initiatives at the UN and its consistent advocacy for the recognition of mountain vulnerabilities, Kyrgyzstan is positioning itself as a natural leader in the international fight against climate change.

In a world where warming effects know no borders, the Kyrgyz example highlights an essential truth: protecting mountains means protecting water, life, and the future of millions of people.