KazNU at the International Forum: Joining Forces to Preserve Central Asia’s Biodiversity

On June 5, 2025, the International Forum “Challenges and Prospects for Biodiversity Conservation in Central Asia” was held at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, dedicated to Ecologist Day. The event brought together representatives from UNEP, UNDP, IUCN, ministries, universities, research institutes, and NGOs from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Germany.

The forum served as an important platform for sharing expertise and addressing transboundary environmental issues in the region. Opening remarks were delivered by President of the National Academy of Sciences K.K. Kuntajanov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nysanbayev, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Michaela Friberg-Storey, and Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Europe Silvia Martini, along with other international experts.

The Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Zhanseit Tuimebayev, highlighted the university’s role in advancing sustainable development and scientific research. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between universities and research centers in addressing ecological challenges in Central Asia.

The Rector presented KazNU’s achievements, including the Remote Sensing Center developed in partnership with Chinese colleagues, ten new scientific laboratories, and key projects on drought monitoring, soil degradation, water scarcity, and public ecological education.

Other speakers included the Director of the Institute of Ecology and Sustainable Development of Uzbekistan, Professor Xu Wei from China, Professor Werner Blum from the University of Bonn (Germany), and regional biodiversity conservation leaders.

The forum concluded with an agreement to prepare a final resolution and to organize an International Biodiversity Symposium in August to promote regional collaboration and sign new memorandums of cooperation.