Bishkek, Nov. 2, 2026 /Kabar/. The Yerevan Platform for mountains and associated freshwater ecosystems was launched in Yerevan during the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
According to the presidential administration, this new international initiative aims to unite the efforts of mountain nations to protect unique ecosystems, secure funding, and foster international cooperation. Previously, at the Leaders' Summit, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov expressed his support for the platform and his commitment to actively participating in its work, while highlighting the importance of preserving the ecosystem of Issyk-Kul lake.
During COP17, a delegation led by the President’s Special Representative, Dinara Kemelova, participated in several high-level events, including the launch of the Yerevan Biodiversity Monitoring Technology Center, the Global Dialogue on Mountain and Freshwater Biodiversity, an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) discussion titled "Restoring Nature: From Commitments to Action," a UNDP event focused on advancing the mountain agenda, and a joint event hosted by Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and France titled "High Peaks – High Stakes: Protecting Mountain Ecosystems."
On October 27, speaking during the high-level segment of COP17, Dinara Kemelova urged the international community to pay greater attention to the protection of mountain ecosystems and to expand access to funding for mountain nations. Special emphasis was placed on initiatives put forward by Kyrgyzstan: the creation of a dedicated mountain program within the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the establishment of a Global Mountain Sustainability Center in Bishkek, and the creation under the auspices of the UN of a special trust fund for the preservation of Issyk-Kul lake.
During various events and bilateral meetings with the heads of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as with representatives from other international organizations and several foreign nations (including Japan, the Czech Republic, Colombia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Germany, Kenya, and Lesotho), the Kyrgyz delegation presented the country’s priorities regarding the conservation of mountain ecosystems and climate-related processes. They also briefed partners on the Second Global Mountain Summit, "Bishkek+25."
A significant outcome of COP17 was the decision to update the Programme of Work on Mountain Biodiversity ahead of COP18.
Another achievement for the Kyrgyz delegation at COP17 was the re-election of Kumar Mambetaliev, a department head at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan to the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
