The event was attended by the Director of the Forest Agency, Erkin Mukhiddinov, the World Bank’s Lead Environmental Specialist, Abbate Asferacheyu, forestry experts from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, as well as representatives of international organizations and the media.

During the event, it was noted that the activities implemented under the World Bank–funded largest regional ecosystem restoration initiative — the Central Asia Resilient Landscapes Restoration Program (RESILAND CA+) — contribute to strengthening climate resilience in the region.

Land degradation and the reduction of forest areas in Central Asian countries lead to a number of environmental challenges. These issues, especially under climate change, increase the frequency of mudflows and floods, which cause significant environmental and socio-economic damage. Therefore, harmonizing environmental and forestry policies among Central Asian countries, ensuring sustainable resource management, and balancing socio-economic and environmental priorities are of critical importance.

The draft international agreements include the development of tourism in protected natural areas, conducting biodiversity inventory, managing a transboundary ecological corridor, monitoring conservation activities in shared natural territories, creating an early warning system for forest fires, and establishing “Peace Parks” in the border areas of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These “Peace Parks” are aimed at preserving ecosystems, developing ecotourism, reducing natural disaster risks, and creating economic opportunities for local border communities.

During the regional dialogue, representatives of state bodies of Central Asian countries reviewed the above-mentioned draft international agreements.

Currently, the RESILAND CA+ program is being implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In Uzbekistan, the program supports the restoration of more than 250,000 hectares of forests and pastures. The project is being carried out in six regions — Namangan, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya.

In particular, six landscape restoration models have been developed and specialized nurseries have been established. More than 10,000 hectares of pasturelands have been terraced and fenced. Ecotourism development in the Zomin National Nature Park is being supported, which will provide employment for 30 local residents. These measures contribute to achieving Uzbekistan’s goal under the 2018 Bonn Challenge — to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.