LocationsKazakhstan unites efforts to preserve biodiversity and tackle climate change
October 29, 2025
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan launched a three-day national seminar to coordinate key strategic documents in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The event brought together over 150 participants, including representatives from government bodies, international and civil society organizations, academia, and the public sector.
The seminar serves as a platform for aligning strategic documents related to biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Discussions are focused on harmonizing the following frameworks: the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) through 2035; the National Adaptation Plan (NAP); Kazakhstan's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement; and the Ninth National Communication, combined with the Second Biennial Transparency Report.
These documents aim to create a coherent and complementary approach to climate and environmental action. Together, they lay the foundation for a systemic strategy where efforts to reduce emissions, adapt to climate risks, and protect biodiversity reinforce one another. This is especially important because, in practice, some measures may conflict with one another. For example, large-scale afforestation programs designed to absorb carbon can negatively impact steppe and semi-desert ecosystems if they replace natural landscapes with forest plantations. Such interventions may disrupt ecosystem balance, displace endemic species, and lead to biodiversity loss. These risks are particularly relevant in regions sensitive to land-use changes. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the interlinkages between climate and environmental goals during the planning stage and implement solutions that deliver dual benefits for both climate and nature.
Andrey Kim, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan
"Challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss require integrated and coordinated responses—not fragmented ones. Developing three key documents simultaneously, the Biodiversity Strategy, the National Adaptation Plan, and the updated NDC, gives Kazakhstan a unique opportunity to build a unified, synergistic framework for sustainable development. These strategies must work together, not in isolation, to ensure long-term sustainability, protect our natural capital, and safeguard future generations,"emphasized Andrey Kim, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan.
The seminar featured expert sessions, consultations, and practical discussions covering a wide range of topics, from preparing the 7th National Biodiversity Report with a focus on methodology, indicators, and stakeholder engagement, to climate adaptation across key sectors such as water, agriculture, forestry, and emergency management. Financing mechanisms for environmental initiatives were also discussed, including the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and other approaches to resource mobilization. Participants explored climate risk modeling and projected economic losses through 2100, including potential damage from climate impacts across various sectors.
Special attention was given to gender aspects in biodiversity conservation. A preliminary gender analysis was presented for feedback and suggestions.
Sukhrob Khodjimatov, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan
"When nature becomes the core of development, we find solutions that preserve ecosystems, strengthen economic resilience, and improve people's quality of life. National development strategies must reflect the interests of all population groups, including women, who play a vital role in environmental protection and sustainable resource management. The gender analysis and best practices for women's engagement are steps toward a more inclusive and equitable environmental policy,"noted Sukhrob Khodjimatov, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
Participants also emphasized the need to integrate nature-based solutions into national policies and to consider cross-cutting themes such as health, education, migration, and employment.
A comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing interconnected challenges in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable development is a significant step toward enhancing synergy across policies, sectors, and governance levels.
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