LocationsSafeguarding Kyrgyzstan’s Mountain ecosystems
April 24, 2025
Kyrgyzstan is home to some of the world’s most diverse and ecologically significant mountain ecosystems. Though small and landlocked, the country boasts around 2% of the planet’s known flora and 3% of its known fauna. These ecosystems are essential—not only for Kyrgyzstan but for the wider Central Asian region—providing clean water, food, fertile soils, and natural protection against disasters.
However, mountain ecosystems and biodiversity in Kyrgyzstan are under increasing pressure. Environmental degradation, unsustainable use of resources, and climate change have led to a reduction in ecosystem resilience. The imbalance between economic development ambitions and environmental imperatives including biodiversity conservation threaten national and global biodiversity goals.
Kyrgyzstan has demonstrated global leadership on mountain sustainability. As the statement of its commitment on promoting the sustainable development in mountain regions, Kyrgyzstan developed the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions for 2023-2027. UNDP supported the country to develop the roadmap for its implementation. This national initiative aims to improve mountain communities by promoting inclusive economic growth, improving access to basic services, and strengthening the resilience of mountain communities to climate change. The programme includes measures to boost sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and green jobs, while also investing in climate-smart infrastructure and environmental protection. By aligning with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement, the initiative reinforces Kyrgyzstan’s leadership in sustainable mountain development and provides a strategic entry point for climate and biodiversity finance.
UNDP is supporting Kyrgyzstan to update its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), and integration of mountain-specific issues into this national strategy is one of the key focus areas.
While increasing focus has been directed toward mountain ecosystems and biodiversity protection, there is still a need to scale up financial and other investments substantially. It highlights the need for alternative sources of funding and more integrated environmental planning.
UNDP plays a critical role in addressing biodiversity financing gaps through its global Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), which operates in over 130 countries, including Kyrgyzstan. BIOFIN helps countries bridge the gap between conservation goals and financing needs by developing sustainable financing strategies that support the national conservation goals.
One of UNDP’s most significant contributions in biodiversity conservation financing is the establishment of a Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) of Kyrgyzstan. The Fund will serve as a long-term financing mechanism to pool domestic and international contributions to support high-impact, locally grounded conservation initiatives. Modeled on the base of UN’s most trusted platforms – the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the CTF is built on strong foundations like inclusive governance, transparency and rigorous accountability, and measurable results.
In collaboration with Kyrgyzstan's national institutions, UNDP has also contributed to climate policy planning, including the development of the Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plan and carbon neutrality pathways. UNDP provides technical support to integrate biodiversity and climate resilience into national and sectoral planning strategies while helping to identify entry points for sustainable biodiversity and climate finance.
As part of its commitment to advancing development in mountain areas, UNDP is working closely with the Government of Kyrgyzstan to develop the country’s tourism sector, leveraging its spectacular mountain landscapes and rich cultural heritage. By supporting sustainable, community-based tourism in mountainous regions, UNDP helps create new economic opportunities that are both environmentally and socially inclusive. In collaboration with national stakeholders, UNDP supports policy development, capacity building, and the growth of micro and small enterprises, with a strong focus on community-based and women-led businesses in mountainous areas. Women’s entrepreneurship plays a critical role in poverty reduction and local development. Through mentoring programmes, creative labs, and improved access to finance and markets, UNDP has empowered over a thousand women entrepreneurs across the country. These initiatives not only foster economic empowerment but also contribute to the sustainable use of mountain resources, biodiversity conservation, and the resilience of mountain communities—making them a core component of Kyrgyzstan’s broader sustainable mountain development strategy.
Kyrgyzstan reaffirmed its regional leadership in mountain sustainability by hosting the International Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development in Bishkek on 24–25 April 2024. This regional forum brought together government officials, development partners, and civil society to explore nature-based solutions, mobilize climate finance, and strengthen transboundary cooperation. This forum also laid the groundwork for the 2nd Bishkek Global Summit in 2027, ensuring continuity and momentum in mountain-focused environmental action.
Another significant contribution of UNDP to advancing the mountain agenda was its support to the national delegation of Kyrgyzstan at UN CBD COP16 in Cali, Columbia and the UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. With a strong focus on mountain issues, the Kyrgyz delegation highlighted the unique challenges of conserving mountain ecosystems and underscored their vital role in biodiversity protection and climate resilience. Several strategic initiatives were presented, further elevating the prominence of the mountain agenda on the global stage.
Looking ahead, Kyrgyzstan’s success in biodiversity conservation and advancing the mountain agenda at the national level will depend on long-term political commitment, strengthened institutional frameworks and innovative financing partnerships.
By enhancing institutional capacity, aligning national strategies, and fostering inclusive collaboration, UNDP remains committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan’s journey toward achieving its biodiversity and climate targets—while ensuring that Kyrgyzstan’s unique mountain ecosystems and the communities that depend on them are protected and empowered for generations to come.
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