Mountains play a crucial role in the life of our planet. They cover a significant portion of the Earth’s land area and have a substantial impact on climate, hydrological patterns, and biodiversity.

Asia is rightfully considered the most mountainous part of the world, with mountains covering 64 percent of its territory, known for their height, extent, and unique natural features.

Central Asia is also famous for its mountains, which occupy a vast portion of the region's land and are crucial sources of freshwater.

Given the importance of mountain ecosystems to the planet and humanity, the United Nations General Assembly established International Mountain Day, which is celebrated annually on December 11. In anticipation of this date, we met with Azizbek Madmarov, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic, the country that initiated the establishment of this observance.

– Mr. Ambassador, the Kyrgyz Republic actively promotes the agenda of sustainable development in mountain regions. What challenges do our countries face in relation to climate change and the increasing anthropogenic impact on mountain ecosystems?

– Mountains are an invaluable natural treasure, covering a quarter of the Earth's surface. River basins originate in the mountains, providing freshwater to vast regions located downstream. The processes occurring in mountain regions and ecosystems also determine the lives of people living in the lower-lying areas. Due to climate change, the region’s water resources are decreasing year by year, negatively affecting water and energy security, food security, and overall socio-economic conditions in all countries.

Approximately 94 percent of Kyrgyzstan is mountainous. The country has been taking consistent steps within the framework of the United Nations to gradually increase the global agenda for sustainable mountain development. Kyrgyzstan was the first to raise the issues of mountain territories. It was at our initiative that the International Year of Mountains was held in 2002. In the same year, the Bishkek Mountain Platform was adopted at the First Global Mountain Summit, where we proposed the establishment of International Mountain Day. Since the early 2000s, Kyrgyzstan has been actively working to draw global attention to mountain issues. At Kyrgyzstan's initiative, between 1998 and 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted 13 resolutions addressing the problems of mountain countries.

In 2019, Kyrgyzstan proposed the formation of the Group of Friends of Mountain Countries, which now includes 29 states, including our brotherly Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has supported all mountain-related initiatives that Kyrgyzstan has promoted on the international stage, and we hope this will continue in the future.

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, emphasized at COP29 in Baku that in implementing mountain initiatives, we rely on the help of international partners and support not only from mountain countries but also from all other nations, as mountains provide water and other resources not only for the 1.1 billion people living in mountain areas but also for approximately 2 billion people living in the lowlands.

– Kyrgyzstan actively promotes the mountain agenda on the international stage. Could you tell us more about the most significant initiatives put forward by your country in recent years?

– Yes, you are right. Over the past three years, Kyrgyzstan has been actively working in this area. At the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, a resolution was adopted at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly declaring 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development.

The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness of the problems faced by mountain countries and to give new momentum to the international community's efforts to address the challenges and issues of mountain countries.

Recognizing the importance of sustainable development in mountain regions, at Kyrgyzstan's initiative, in 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 2023-2027 as the "Decade of Action for Mountain Region Development".

At our initiative, and with the broad support of our partners, the "Five-Year Action Plan for Mountain Region Development for the Period 2023-2027" is currently being implemented. This plan includes a National Roadmap and a Global Action Plan at the international level, both of which were presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic at the UN Headquarters in New York in 2023-2024.

At the 174th session, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) adopted a resolution supporting the Five-Year Action Plan for Mountain Region Development.

The mountain initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic were reflected in the final reports of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Thanks to the efforts of many countries, the mountain agenda was included in the final document, which contains an official request for a dialogue on mountains and climate change.

A key event for advancing the global mountain agenda was the participation of President Sadyr Japarov in the COP29 World Leaders Summit in Baku, where he invited all country delegations to Kyrgyzstan for the Second Global Mountain Summit "Bishkek+25" in 2027, during which we will review the outcomes of the "Mountain Decade".

– Climate change has a significant impact on mountain regions, including Kyrgyzstan. What environmental issues related to climate change is your country facing?

– You have raised a very relevant issue. Mountains are a natural treasure that we must protect. Mountain areas occupy about 26 percent of the Earth's surface. They are home to 15 percent of the world’s population, and half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots are located in mountain regions. The well-being of nearly half of the planet's population depends on the water, food, and energy resources found in mountain ranges.

Unfortunately, mountains are under threat due to climate change, land degradation, overexploitation, and natural disasters.

As President Sadyr Japarov noted at COP29 in Baku, "Today, climate change is having a particularly negative impact on our glaciers, water resources, agriculture, and the overall livelihoods of people. Currently, Kyrgyzstan has about 10,000 glaciers, covering an area of around 7,000 square kilometers. However, over the past 70 years, the glacier area in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 1,262 square kilometers, or 16 percent of the total area. If this trend continues, a significant portion of the glaciers could disappear by the end of the century. This is not just a statistic, but a direct threat to the lives and well-being of millions of people who depend on glaciers as a source of freshwater".

– What specific steps is Kyrgyzstan taking to promote the protection of mountain ecosystems?

– At COP28 in Dubai, our President called on the international community, particularly developed countries, to more actively support the efforts of vulnerable developing mountain countries in addressing climate and ecological issues affecting mountain ecosystems. He also initiated a new global dialogue on "Mountains and Climate" in the annual calendar of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a result of joint efforts, 33 countries supported Kyrgyzstan’s initiative, "Call to Action to Institutionalize the Dialogue on "Mountains and Climate" in the Annual UNFCCC Calendar".

In January 2022, in order to protect mountain ecosystems and ensure climate resilience, Kyrgyzstan launched a national campaign, "Zhashyl Muras" (Green Legacy), aimed at increasing forested areas. In 2022, over 8 million trees were planted, and in 2023, 7.5 million trees were planted. By the end of 2024, a further 8 million trees are planned for planting.

During the COP29 World Leaders Summit, Kyrgyzstan, together with Mongolia, Azerbaijan, and Nepal, held a "High-Level Dialogue on Advancing the Mountain Agenda and Addressing the Topic of Mountains and Climate Change" at the level of heads of state. During this event, Kyrgyzstan initiated the "Declaration on Climate Change, Mountains, and Glaciers," which was supported by 15 countries as the final document of the High-Level Dialogue.

We believe that through such actions, Kyrgyzstan is making a valuable contribution to the collective efforts of the international community in the fight against climate change.

– How would you assess the relationship between the Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan? Can you summarize the year in this regard?

– Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have developed warm and brotherly relations based on genuine friendship and mutual respect. Our peoples share centuries-old ties of friendship, brotherhood, and good neighborliness, which form the foundation of our cooperation in this new historical era. I would like to highlight the positive dynamics in our relations in recent years, which has largely been achieved through high-level meetings that have demonstrated the mutual desire of our political leadership to develop a regular bilateral dialogue.

We are actively cooperating in political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian fields, as well as in the framework of multilateral international platforms.

– What role, in your opinion, have intergovernmental contacts and high-level meetings played in strengthening the relationship between our countries?

– I believe that 2024 has been a productive year in bilateral relations between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Regular meetings and negotiations at the high and highest levels are held.

On May 24, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Head of the Presidential Administration, met in Ashgabat with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov within the framework of the next meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of CIS member states. During this meeting, the two sides thoroughly discussed current issues in bilateral relations.

On July 24-25, the sixth meeting of the Kyrgyz-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical, and humanitarian cooperation was successfully held in Kyrgyzstan, during which discussions took place on a wide range of current issues in bilateral cooperation.

As you know, in October, the President of Kyrgyzstan participated in the International Forum "Interconnection of Civilizations Across Time – The Basis of Peace and Development", dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi, held in Ashgabat.

Within the framework of this Forum, President Sadyr Japarov met with the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, the highly Esteemed Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. During their conversation, a wide range of issues regarding bilateral and regional cooperation were discussed.

On October 15, 2024, during an official visit to Turkmenistan, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiyev met with the Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova. The two sides discussed ways to deepen and develop cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. The Speaker also participated in the second meeting of the speakers of the parliaments of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea on October 14.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to sincerely congratulate the highly Esteemed President of Turkmenistan Serdar Gurbangulyyevich Berdimuhamedov, the highly respected National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Malikgulyyevich Berdimuhamedov, as well as all the people of Turkmenistan, on Neutrality Day and the upcoming New Year, wishing them good health, happiness, peace, further progress, and prosperity.

– Thank you for your time and insightful responses. Your comments will help readers better understand the significance of International Mountain Day and the prospects for cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. We wish you success in your mission and extend our congratulations for the upcoming holidays!

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV