Climate Change, Biodiversity and Desertification

Climate change is one of the key factors affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and land resources in the Kyrgyz Republic. Rising average annual air temperatures, glacier retreat, changing precipitation patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events are contributing to ecosystem degradation, declining productivity of pastures and agricultural land, accelerated desertification processes, and the loss of biodiversity.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation are closely interconnected. The degradation of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity reduce the natural environment's capacity to adapt to climate change, while land degradation exacerbates the adverse impacts of climate change and reduces the resilience of communities and the economy.

The Kyrgyz Republic is a Party to the three Rio Conventions—the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The implementation of commitments under these international agreements is based on an integrated and mutually reinforcing approach.

 

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🌿  Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Convention on Biological Diversity aims to conserve biological diversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. The Convention was adopted on 5 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

The Kyrgyz Republic acceded to the Convention on Biological Diversity in accordance with the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 40 of 26 July 1996 "On the Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Convention on Biological Diversity."

The Kyrgyz Republic possesses unique biodiversity and forms part of several globally significant ecoregions. At the same time, climate change has significant impacts on the country's natural ecosystems, leading to shifts in species distribution, habitat degradation, forest loss, and reduced resilience of mountain ecosystems.

Biodiversity conservation contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation through:

• conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems;
• expansion of protected areas;
• conservation of rare and endangered species;
• restoration of degraded ecosystems;
• application of ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation;
• strengthening the resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change.

The conservation of biodiversity is one of the key priorities for ensuring the environmental and climate resilience of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Documents

• Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992);
• Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 40 of 26 July 1996 "On the Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Convention on Biological Diversity."

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🌱 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Land degradation and desertification are among the most serious environmental challenges facing the Kyrgyz Republic. Climate change contributes to increasing aridity, pasture degradation, soil erosion, and declining land productivity.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification aims to prevent land degradation, restore degraded ecosystems, and promote the sustainable management of land resources.

Implementation of the Convention in the Kyrgyz Republic focuses on the following areas:

• prevention of land degradation and desertification;
• restoration of degraded lands and pastures;
• enhancing resilience to drought;
• promoting sustainable land management;
• improving land resource monitoring systems;
• strengthening the adaptive capacity of rural communities.

Measures to combat land degradation contribute to improving agricultural resilience, preserving ecosystem services, and supporting climate change adaptation.

Documents

• Text of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification;
• National Report of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

 

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🤝 Synergy of the Three Rio Conventions

The Kyrgyz Republic implements its commitments under the three Rio Conventions through an integrated approach:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The synergy among the three conventions enables the country to address environmental and climate challenges in a comprehensive manner, improve the efficiency of financial and institutional resources, and strengthen the national system of natural resource management.

The implementation of integrated actions contributes to:

• conserving biodiversity and ecosystems;
• adapting to climate change;
• reducing land degradation and desertification;
• strengthening the resilience of agriculture and natural ecosystems;
• promoting ecosystem-based adaptation;
• achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• enhancing the environmental and climate security of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The implementation of commitments under these conventions is therefore closely linked to climate change adaptation. Effective interagency cooperation between the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic plays a crucial role in implementing the country's environmental policy