Sustainable development of mountain regions to be discussed at RES 2026

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, in cooperation with other national organizations, will hold a session within the framework of the Regional Ecological Summit 2026, which will take place in Astana on 22–24 April, dedicated to strengthening global and regional cooperation in the field of sustainable development of mountain regions.

The high-level session entitled “Mountains and Climate Change: From Vulnerability to Sustainable Development” will take place on 23 April. The event will bring together heads of environmental agencies, representatives of the United Nations, the World Bank, the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization, and experts.

Mountain regions cover 27% of the Earth’s land area and provide fresh water to more than 50% of the world’s population, playing a key role in maintaining ecosystems and ensuring food security. However, they are among the most vulnerable areas to climate change.

Accelerated glacier melt, ecosystem degradation, increasing frequency of natural disasters (landslides, mudflows, floods), as well as the socio-economic vulnerability of mountain communities require urgent and comprehensive action.

Despite this, the mountain agenda remains insufficiently represented in global climate processes, including financing, policy, and technology.

The objective of the event is to contribute to the development of a comprehensive approach to the sustainable development of mountain regions in the context of climate change by strengthening political attention to the mountain agenda, promoting sustainable and adaptation solutions, and enhancing cooperation.

It is expected that the session will serve as an important platform for developing coordinated approaches to the sustainable development of mountain regions, mobilizing climate finance, and strengthening regional and international cooperation in the face of global climate challenges.