The Interregional Group of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD IG) is holding a two-day meeting on 2–3 October 2025 at the UN House in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The IG serves as a key platform for cooperation and joint action on combating desertification, land degradation, and drought in the region. Its goal is to strengthen regional collaboration, promote the exchange of experience, advance joint initiatives, and contribute to sustainable development within the framework of the UNCCD.
The participants discussed the current situation and trends of desertification in Central Asian countries, the challenges faced, the measures being taken, as well as preparations for the upcoming key UNCCD events: the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23, Panama, 2025) and the Conference of the Parties (COP 16, Mongolia, 2026).
As a regional organization, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) participated in the meeting as an observer. CAREC representatives provided input to the draft documents — the “Regional Land Resources Review” and the “Methodological Guidance on Assessing Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)”.
In addition, CAREC took part in discussions on the monitoring capabilities of project indicators to generate data for national reports on voluntary national targets under the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) commitments.
Additional information:
Lyudmila Kiktenko – Manager of CAREC’s Environmental Management Program, lkiktenko@carececo.org