Mountains in Kyrgyzstan. International Mountain Day: Kyrgyzstan calls for preserving the natural wealth of mountain countries Climate and Environment
Climate change poses a serious threat to vital aspects of life in mountainous countries. We are talking about natural disasters related to global warming, extreme weather conditions, lack of water resources, and slowing economic growth. In 2025, International Mountain Day, celebrated on December 11th, is dedicated to the theme “The importance of glaciers for water supplies, food and livelihoods in mountain areas and beyond.”
For the Central Asian region, this issue is of particular importance. In an interview with the UN News Service, the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan to the United Nations, Aida Kasymalieva, noted that over the past 70 years, the area of glaciers in her country alone has decreased by 16 percent. In some areas, according to her, almost all glaciers have disappeared.
Problems of mountainous countries
“Mountains are a priceless natural treasure, occupying a quarter of the surface of the globe. River basins originate in the mountains, supplying fresh water to vast regions downstream. The lives of people living in the lower reaches also depend on the processes occurring in mountainous regions and ecosystems,” explained the ambassador.
Due to climate change, the water resources of the Central Asian region are decreasing every year, which negatively affects water-energy and food security and the socio-economic situation in general.
“As for Kyrgyzstan, our country has experienced a sharp increase in the number of landslides in recent years. More than 300 incidents have led to significant damage to infrastructure, loss of life and the displacement of thousands of residents of vulnerable regions,” said Kasymalieva. By 2100, Kyrgyzstan may lose more than half of its glaciers.
The country’s authorities are trying to attract the attention of the international community to the problems of mountainous countries and give new impetus to efforts aimed at solving them.
Mountain initiatives Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has taken many initiatives in this area. In particular, it was this country that proposed celebrating International Mountain Day. From 1998 to 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted 13 resolutions devoted to the problems of mountain countries. UN).
Mountain initiatives of Kyrgyzstan were reflected in the final reports of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference. Thanks to the efforts of many mountain countries, the mountain agenda was included in the final document. Kyrgyzstan also initiated the consolidation of a new global dialogue “Mountains and Climate” in the annual calendar of the UN Climate Change Conference.
One of the peaks in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan was given the geographical name “United Nations Peak”. The country regularly hosts mountain-themed events at the UN.
Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to the UN Aida Kasymalieva.
And in Kyrgyzstan itself this year the Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development took place. The conference was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, as well as 29 international organizations.
In October 2027, the Second Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek+25” will be held in Kyrgyzstan, 25 years after the First Summit.
Now Kyrgyzstan is actively promoting the adoption of an updated version of the resolution “Sustainable Mountain Development”, approved by the General Assembly in 2022.
“The Kyrgyz Republic intends to continue the global mountain dialogue together with partner states and international organizations, as well as the preparation of the Bishkek Declaration as the final document of the summit “Bishkek+25,” said Kasymalieva.
Participation in the Climate Conference in Belem
The delegation of Kyrgyzstan took an active part in the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-30) in Belem, Brazil. At the proposal of Kyrgyzstan, multilateral consultations on mountains and climate change were held.
The delegation of Kyrgyzstan actively participated in the negotiation process at COP-30, promoting the inclusion of the mountain agenda in the final documents of the conference.
“Targeted and systematic promotion of mountain agenda has allowed Kyrgyzstan to maintain its role as an initiator and leader among mountainous countries in recent years. We have grand plans for sustainable mountain development, but, unfortunately, we cannot cope alone,” said Kasymalieva.
“We count on full assistance from the international community, the UN, climate and green funds, and donor countries. And the most important thing is the unity and joint measures taken by the mountainous countries themselves,” she added.