Regional Efforts on Landscape Restoration in Central Asia
Central Asia is facing large-scale land degradation affecting up to 80% of the region’s territory and causing annual economic losses of approximately 6% of its combined GDP. The main drivers are both natural factors—namely the predominance of arid landscapes—and long-standing unsustainable land-use practices.
The situation is further exacerbated by increasing climate pressure. Warming in the region is occurring at twice the global average, leading to a rise in the frequency of extreme events. Mudflows and floods are not only destroying soil cover but also damaging transport and social infrastructure, increasing the overall vulnerability of countries in the region.
Under these conditions, landscape restoration has become an unconditional national priority for Central Asian states. Countries are adopting a comprehensive approach that includes several key directions. In pasture management, rotational grazing systems and reseeding of forage crops are being introduced. This is particularly important for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, where overgrazing is the main driver of soil erosion on mountain slopes.
To combat desertification and stabilize sands, both biological and mechanical measures are being applied. The planting of saxaul and the restoration of natural grass cover create a sustainable barrier against sandstorms, particularly in the Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Water conservation and hydrological management are also critical components. Landscape restoration efforts are closely linked with the modernization of irrigation systems and the introduction of water-saving technologies such as drip irrigation, allowing more efficient use of scarce water resources to support vegetation and biodiversity.
At the same time, climate-smart agricultural practices are being introduced. Agroforestry and soil conservation techniques, including minimum tillage, help retain moisture and improve soil fertility.
Countries across the region are implementing large-scale afforestation programs. Kazakhstan plans to plant 2 billion trees in the forest fund and 15 million in urban areas to increase forest cover to 5% by 2027–2030. Kyrgyzstan aims to plant 6–8 million seedlings annually to expand forest cover to 6% and beyond, with a focus on mountain forests. Tajikistan is developing green belts around cities and restoring nut-bearing forests to reach 7% forest cover.
Turkmenistan plants around 3 million seedlings annually, including in the area of the “smart city” Arkadag and along the Caspian coast. Uzbekistan plants approximately 200 million trees and shrubs each year, aiming to increase forest cover from 8% to 15% and urban greening to 30% by 2030. These efforts are contributing to the creation of a unified “Green Belt of Central Asia.”
Cooperation with international organizations plays an important role. One of the key partners for Central Asian countries is the World Bank, which supports the region through the multi-million-dollar RESILAND CA+ Program aimed at combating desertification and restoring land productivity.
In Kazakhstan, the World Bank has invested in large-scale tree and shrub planting, as well as in preserving the country’s forest genetic resources. In addition, activities under the Landscapes Restoration Project have served as a catalyst for the development of areas such as agroforestry, creating new income-generating opportunities for local farmers.
At the current stage, the program is being implemented in three countries—Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan—covering approximately 470,000 hectares. Activities include the introduction of sustainable land management practices and forest restoration.
Session on Transboundary Landscape Restoration in Central Asia
On April 24, 2026, a thematic session on transboundary landscape restoration will be held in Astana as part of the Regional Environmental Summit and the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC 2026).
The event will bring together representatives of relevant ministries and agencies from across the region, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the World Bank, UN agencies, and the expert community.
Discussions will focus on practical steps to advance regional landscape restoration efforts, including activities under the RESILAND CA+ Program. In particular, participants will consider measures to establish a transboundary “Peace Park” at the intersection of the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, expand the use of nature-based solutions to combat desertification and land degradation, and introduce a regional early warning system for wildfires.