Bishkek – Kyrgyzstan. On 25 June, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), Dr Batyr Mammedov, met with Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, and Ms. Lira Joldubaeva, Head of the Climate Change, Environment and Biodiversity Cluster at UNDP Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting was also attended by Adviser to the Executive Director Dilovarsho Dustzoda and Director of the Kyrgyz branch of the CAREC Kuban Matraimov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UNDP Patrick Haverman and Gulzhan Makhmudova, an emergency risk specialist, UNDP.
Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, presented an overview of UNDP's mission in the country, highlighting its comprehensive support to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasized UNDP's ongoing efforts to address socio-economic and environmental challenges through integrated development initiatives that contribute to the country's sustainable development.
The CAREC Executive Director, Dr. Batyr Mammedov, presented an overview of CAREC's activities, highlighting its unique regional mandate and its role in supporting the countries of Central Asia in addressing environmental challenges, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Particular attention was given to preparations for the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2027), which is planned to take place in Bishkek as part of the Bishkek+25 Mountain Summit under the auspices of the United Nations. The participants discussed the significance of combining these two major international events to create a unified regional platform for dialogue on climate policy, sustainable mountain development, climate finance, implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and enhanced regional cooperation.
ОAnother important topic of discussion was the preparation for the participation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) and the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). CAREC reaffirmed its readiness to provide both technical and organizational support to the Kyrgyz Republic, including assistance in organizing the national pavilion and facilitating thematic side events at these international forums.
The participants also discussed the planned side event dedicated to the project "Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework in the Kyrgyz Republic in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety," currently being implemented by CAREC.
The meeting further explored opportunities for expanding cooperation in the implementation of environmental projects in the Kyrgyz Republic. The participants acknowledged the successful partnership between UNDP and the Kyrgyz branch of the CAREC in promoting biodiversity conservation, strengthening the financial sustainability of protected areas, and enhancing the capacity of protected area professionals. Particular emphasis was placed on the results achieved under the BIOFIN initiative, as well as the ongoing project aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation and monitoring capacities in five protected areas of the Pamir-Alai region.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their partnership and expanding cooperation in implementing national and regional environmental initiatives that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing the environmental resilience of Central Asia.
Additional information:
Kuban Matraimov
Director of the Kyrgyz branch of the CAREC