On 18 September 2026, an introductory online meeting was held on the regional project “Conservation and Restoration of the Ecological Integrity and Connectivity of Transboundary Ecosystems in Central Asia.”
The meeting was organized as part of the preparations for the practical implementation of the project, with the participation of the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The project covers the countries of Central Asia and aims to protect and restore the ecological integrity and connectivity of major transboundary ecosystems across the region.
The meeting brought together representatives of national government authorities from the Central Asian countries involved in the implementation of the project, as well as international and regional partners. In accordance with the meeting agenda, the CMS Secretariat provided an overview of the project and its key implementation mechanisms, including the distribution of roles and responsibilities among partners, coordination arrangements, the work plan and implementation timelines, grant agreements, financial procedures, and reporting requirements.
From Turkmenistan, the discussion was attended by Jumamurad Saparmuradov, National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity; Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, and Tatyana Rosen, Director and representative of the project partner Conservation X Labs.
As part of the project implementation, the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, in cooperation with Conservation X Labs, will participate in carrying out the activities envisaged under the project in Turkmenistan, facilitating engagement with national government authorities, the scientific and expert community, and other relevant stakeholders.
The key objective of the project is to conserve and restore the ecological integrity and connectivity of major transboundary ecosystems in Central Asia. Particular attention will be given to two pilot areas: the Ustyurt ecosystem, shared by Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and the Pamir-Alai ecosystem, spanning Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The project envisages the introduction and piloting of Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) approaches to strengthen long-term regional cooperation on biodiversity conservation.
For Turkmenistan, the Ustyurt-related component is of particular importance, as the Ustyurt Plateau represents a significant transboundary ecosystem and an important habitat for migratory species. The existing cooperation among Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on the conservation of the wildlife of the Ustyurt Plateau provides a foundation for further joint efforts.
.png)
During her presentation, Fariza Adilbekova of the CMS Secretariat provided a detailed overview of the main project components and expected results. One of the key areas of work will be to improve knowledge of the distribution of migratory species, their habitats, migration routes, and existing barriers to their movement. The project will support the collection and systematization of scientific data, mapping of ecological connectivity, coordinated field surveys, and the identification of key areas where migratory terrestrial species and birds face the greatest risks.
An important component of the project will be the integration of biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity considerations into spatial and infrastructure planning. Practical guidelines and tools are planned to help assess and address the impacts of linear and energy infrastructure on migratory species.
A separate component of the project will focus on strengthening regional cooperation for the conservation of the Ustyurt and Pamir-Alai ecosystems and promoting the TFCA concept. This component will include regional events and knowledge exchange, the development of coordinated monitoring systems for migratory species, the application of common methodological approaches to research, and greater engagement of local communities.
The project will also work with local communities and promote approaches that combine biodiversity conservation with sustainable socio-economic development. The activities will include exploring opportunities for alternative livelihoods, supporting environmentally oriented entrepreneurship, developing recommendations on ecotourism, and facilitating the development of tourism products based on responsible engagement with wildlife.
Another important area of work will be the strengthening of policy and legal frameworks. The project envisages an analysis of existing spatial planning and development systems at the regional, national and local levels, the identification of existing gaps, and the development of recommendations for more effective integration of biodiversity, migratory species and ecological connectivity considerations into relevant strategies and planning documents.
The implementation of the project will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including those related to ecosystem conservation and restoration, maintaining ecological connectivity, protecting migratory species, mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into planning processes, and strengthening technical, scientific and regional cooperation among the countries of Central Asia.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants discussed the proposed project implementation mechanisms, coordination arrangements between national authorities and partners, and identified priority actions and next steps. The CMS Secretariat summarized the discussions and outlined the subsequent stages of the project’s practical implementation.
The participation of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, together with Conservation X Labs, in the implementation of this regional project will contribute to further strengthening Turkmenistan’s cooperation with Central Asian countries and international partners, promoting science-based approaches to the conservation of migratory species, and maintaining the ecological connectivity of transboundary ecosystems. This work will be particularly important for the conservation of the unique Ustyurt ecosystem and for strengthening regional cooperation on biodiversity conservation.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov– Director of the CAREC Project office in Turkmenistan, turkemenistan@carececo.org