Kyrgyz PM proposes creating transboundary environmental corridors to preserve biodiversity in Central Asia
BISHKEK. July 25 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev has suggested laying transboundary environmental corridors in a speech at an International Environmental Conference, which is taking place at Russia's Altai resort.
"Two environmental corridors, Chatkal and Ak Ilbirs, have been created in Kyrgyzstan. In order to preserve biodiversity in Central Asia, we propose considering the possibility of creating transboundary environmental corridors across the territories of neighboring countries," Kasymaliyev was quoted by the Kyrgyz government press service as saying on Friday.
The creation of such corridors not only helps conserve biodiversity, but also opens up new opportunities for sustainable development, including in the area of ecotourism, he said.
"To maintain biodiversity, a network of 96 specially protected natural areas with a total area of over two million hectares has been set up and is operating in Kyrgyzstan. The republic also sees ecotourism as one of the priority areas for environmentally and economically balanced growth. Last year, the country was visited by 8.9 million tourists, of which more than 20% picked up ecotourism routes," Kasymaliyev said.
He said that ecotourism cannot develop without proper protection of natural areas from pollution, primarily from plastic products. Plastic waste poses a serious threat to vulnerable ecosystems, including Issyk-Kul and the fragile mountainous regions of the Tien Shan, Kasymaliyev said.
"In this regard, a complete ban on disposable plastic products that cannot be recycled is expected to be imposed starting 2027," Kasymaliyev said.
Kasymaliyev invited conference participants to the Second Bishkek+25 Global Mountain Summit, which Kyrgyzstan intends to host in 2027.
The international environmental conference opened on Friday at Manzherok, an Altai all-season resort. The government delegations from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the conference.
