– You have been leading the mountain agenda of the country for over two years. Different sources provide varying figures: some say 90%, others 95%. What portion of our territory is officially considered mountainous?
– Indeed, the figures vary. To clarify this issue, we initiated a comprehensive survey and mapping of the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan. This research allows us not only to collect statistics but also to see the real situation: how much forest and pasture is located in mountainous areas, whether residents of remote villages have access to electricity, clean water, and the internet, as well as where the emergency risk zones are located. Each agency maintains its own statistics, but now we are getting a common, clear picture. According to the data from the state institution of the Kyrgyz Republic "Goskartography," mountainous territories occupy almost 93% of the country's area. Research work is ongoing, and the Working Group under the auspices of the NISI plays an important role here.
– So almost the entire territory of Kyrgyzstan is mountainous. How does this affect our position on the global stage?
– Kyrgyzstan confidently occupies leading positions in promoting the mountain agenda on the international stage. This has been made possible by the consistent steps taken by our country under the leadership of President Sadyr Japarov within the framework of the UN, aimed at expanding the global agenda for sustainable mountain development.
A vivid proof of our active work was the announcement by the UN of the period from 2023 to 2027 as the "Five-Year Action for Mountain Regions."
Since the early 2000s, we have been actively drawing the world's attention to the problems of mountain regions. This is extremely important, as residents of mountain communities are in a vulnerable position due to their geographical isolation and are more susceptible to the consequences of climate change, which we have repeatedly experienced ourselves. Our mountains are also "water towers" and unique ecosystems for the entire region. They provide clean water, eco-friendly products, recreational resources, support biodiversity, and maintain ecological balance.
Therefore, we are joining forces with other partner countries to make the "voice of the mountains" louder. In 2019, at our initiative, the Group of Friends of Mountain Countries was established, which now includes 31 states.
Since 2002, the Mountain Partnership has been functioning, consisting of 687 members, including 74 states. Kyrgyzstan participates in the governing Committee of this partnership.
At the initiative of Kyrgyzstan and Andorra, a Mountain Group was created under the Framework Convention on Climate Change to represent the interests of mountainous territories in climate negotiations. Currently, the group includes 11 states, and Kyrgyzstan holds the chairmanship.
– We know that in recent years the president of Kyrgyzstan has been actively participating in global climate processes and COP conferences. What key changes have occurred, and what does this bring for Kyrgyzstan?
We continue to work within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, promoting issues related to the protection of mountain ecosystems and glaciers. Our President has repeatedly raised these issues at international forums.
At COP29 in Baku, Kyrgyzstan, for the first time, organized an international high-level dialogue on mountains and climate change together with partners, inviting President S.N. Japarov, heads of state and representatives of mountain countries, as well as international organizations.
At this conference, we presented a Declaration on Climate Change, Mountains, and Glaciers, calling for urgent and coordinated actions to preserve these vital natural systems. The Declaration was supported by 21 states, and now our delegation at conferences is known as an active advocate for the mountain agenda.
At COP30 in Belém (Brazil), where more than 56,000 delegates from 195 countries gathered, the Kyrgyz delegation also actively participated in discussions. We consistently promoted the mountain agenda and advocated for the importance of considering the specifics of mountain regions in decision-making on adaptation and support for the most vulnerable countries.
My participation was aimed at fulfilling the tasks set by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, promoting the mountain agenda, and integrating the interests of mountain countries into the conference's decision-making projects. We emphasized the specifics of mountain regions in issues of adaptation, support for vulnerable states, and the inclusion of scientifically grounded approaches in official climate processes.
As a result of the conference, important agreements were reached: a Just Transition Mechanism was established, and a commitment was made to mobilize at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to combat climate change.
Additionally, a high-level political document "Global Mutirão – Collective Efforts" was adopted, which approved a two-year work program on climate financing and opened the way for the implementation of the "Roadmap from Baku to Belém," which also emphasized the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems.
Most importantly, at the initiative of Kyrgyzstan and as a result of multilateral consultations on mountains and climate conducted under the Brazilian presidency, a separate Decision "Mountain Areas and Climate Change" was adopted, instructing the bodies of the UNFCCC to organize an international dialogue on mountain areas and climate in June 2026 in Bonn.
By the way, at the initiative of Kyrgyzstan, the first expert dialogue will be held in Bonn at COP-28 in 2024. These are steps towards making such dialogues annual events where the issues of mountain residents and the protection of mountain ecosystems in the context of climate change will be discussed, as well as finding solutions and access to climate financing for mountain communities.
– As I understand it, Kyrgyzstan did not act alone at this conference, but as part of a coalition?
– Correct. We worked as the Chair of the Mountain Group together with the delegations of member countries, in close cooperation with Bhutan and Nepal. This "mountain trio" allowed us to represent common interests more effectively. The culmination of the negotiations was the decision to hold an expert dialogue on mountains in Bonn in June 2026, which I already mentioned.
Additionally, Kyrgyzstan is promoting two crucial strategic initiatives:
The Mountain Country Development Fund. We continue to work on the concept of a financial mechanism that will support mountain ecosystems.
The establishment of a Global Center for Mountain Area Resilience in Bishkek, which will facilitate knowledge acquisition, provide technical assistance, support adaptation and mitigation projects, as well as reduce losses and damages in mountain regions with a focus on water resources, the cryosphere, biodiversity, renewable energy, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
– How are things at the national level? How significant has Bishkek become as a platform for the international community?
– Bishkek is gradually turning into a "hub" for international mountain dialogue. In April last year, we held the "Global Mountain Dialogue," which gathered 420 participants from over 50 countries and 29 international organizations, becoming an important global platform for discussing the complex challenges and opportunities of mountain territories. This event served as a preparation for our main event—the Second Global Mountain Summit "Bishkek+25," scheduled for October 21-23, 2027.
At the conference, we discussed various topics: from glacier melting and disaster risk reduction to the role of women in resource management, scientific cooperation, and mountain economy. We want the Five-Year Action to conclude not only with reports but also with real changes in the lives of people living in the mountains.
– You mentioned that residents of mountain regions are vulnerable. What is the situation at the national level?
– Within the framework of local events, we regularly meet with local communities, which allows us to monitor the situation and identify the needs of residents in mountain areas. At the national level, in addition to the global Five-Year Action, a Roadmap for the Five-Year Action for the Development of Mountain Regions for 2023-2027 has been adopted.
Last year, amendments were made to the Roadmap aimed at improving the living conditions of mountain residents, based on requests voiced at meetings in mountain regions. New items were added concerning healthcare, access to resources, water supply, sanitation, digitalization, road modernization, access to education, poverty alleviation, the creation and development of geoparks, support for cultural tourism and heritage sites in mountain territories, as well as comprehensive surveys of mountain areas.
Last year, we completed a series of round tables in the regions, including the Chui region and the southern regions of the country. At these meetings, priority areas were discussed, such as climate change adaptation, unlocking the potential of mountain areas, tourism development, organic agriculture, sustainable pasture management, and the implementation of "green" technologies. We also discussed the progress of the Roadmap's implementation with local authorities.
– The Roadmap has been in effect since 2023. What achievements do you consider the most significant?
– During this time, the government has been consistently working to improve living conditions in mountain regions. Many remember the remote village of Zardaly, which was visited by our President S.N. Japarov, who gave instructions to provide the village with electricity and to build a road. Similar work is now being carried out in other mountain settlements of the country as part of the Roadmap.
Eight small hydropower plants have been commissioned, roads are being modernized, airports are being built, and access to emergency medical care, diagnostics, and disease prevention is improving.
Additionally, areas for afforestation are increasing, bank protection works are being carried out, and the reclamation of areas affected by uranium mining is being implemented, along with many other activities.
Furthermore, we pay special attention to enhancing the well-being of mountain communities through the creation of additional income sources. One of the new directions is the branding of mountain products. Our mountains possess unique resources that can become the basis for the sustainability of households: wild herbs, medicinal plants, tea herbs, berries, mushrooms. Our task is to assist local residents through training, production support, and promoting these products to the market.
In the near future, the implementation of the project of the government of Italy and FAO "Business Incubator and Accelerator for Mountain and Island Regions" will begin, aimed at supporting innovative entrepreneurship in agriculture and the textile industry. This project will help enhance the resilience of mountain and island communities through grants, technical assistance, and capacity building. Soon we will announce the launch of the project for the participation of representatives of our mountain communities.
