Bishkek, Oct. 16, 2026 /Kabar/. Today, October 16, President Sadyr Zhaparov delivered a speech at the Leaders' Summit, held within the framework of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Armenia.
In his address, the head of state emphasized that environmental pollution and climate change necessitate the strengthening of international cooperation and joint efforts by all nations.
Expressing support for the initiative to establish the "Yerevan Platform" focused on the biodiversity of mountain and freshwater ecosystems, Sadyr Zhaparov confirmed that Kyrgyz Republic is prepared to participate actively in this endeavor.
"Due to the impact of global warming, glaciers in Central Asia are melting, posing a serious threat to mountain ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity," the president stated. To address these challenges, the head of state proposed that the international community consider four key initiatives: establishing a dedicated mountain program within the framework of the Global Environment Facility; creating a global center for the sustainability of mountainous regions in Bishkek; introducing a mechanism for "debt-for-nature swaps" (exchanging debt for commitments to environmental protection); and strengthening regional cooperation on the conservation of rare animal and bird species.
In his address, the president drew particular attention to the preservation of Issyk-Kul lake and the significant impacts of climate change on its ecosystem.
The head of state noted that the water level in the lake has dropped by nearly 14 meters over the past 170 years, with the rate of decline reaching 7 centimeters per year over the last five years.
The president outlined the measures currently being taken to preserve Issyk-Kul lake. Relevant state agencies are carrying out large-scale efforts to protect the flora and fauna of the lake and its surrounding waters. Over the past four years, nearly 70 tons of various types of waste and approximately 580,000 meters of illegally installed synthetic fishing nets have been removed from the bottom of the lake.
Furthermore, with the support of the UN, Kyrgyzstan has initiated the establishment of a special trust fund aimed at protecting this unique natural site.
Zhaparov called upon international financial institutions and donor nations to support this initiative, announcing that Kyrgyz Republic is prepared to allocate 10 million US dollars from the state budget.
In addition, the president invited all countries, international organizations, and partners to participate in the "Bishkek+25" Second Global Mountain Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Bishkek from October 21 to 23, 2027.
In his concluding remarks, Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized that the preservation of biodiversity must become an integral component of economic policy, investment planning, and regional development, and that protecting nature is a shared responsibility toward future generations.
