BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov addressed COP29 with a call for greater focus on mountain sustainability and the pressing impact of climate change on regional water resources. Japarov highlighted that, as climate change progresses, water resources essential to Central Asia are diminishing each year, affecting water and energy supply, food security, and overall socio-economic stability in mountain regions.
The president underscored the unique challenges faced by mountain communities, emphasizing that sustainable mountain development is crucial for the resilience of the region. "These challenges go beyond borders and affect the lives and livelihoods of all who rely on these resources," Japarov stated, urging international action to mitigate the environmental impacts on highland ecosystems.
To address this, Japarov pointed to the UN General Assembly’s recent adoption of the “Sustainable Mountain Development” resolution, initiated by Kyrgyzstan, which has established 2023-2027 as a “Five-Year Action for Mountain Regions.” The initiative aims to drive global efforts to protect and promote sustainable practices in mountainous areas, acknowledging their significance to biodiversity, water cycles, and regional stability.
President Japarov invited world leaders and stakeholders to join Kyrgyzstan for the second Global Mountain Summit, titled “Bishkek Class 25,” to be held in 2027. This event will serve as a platform to review progress on mountain sustainability and set further goals to enhance resilience in mountain regions. “We must work together to ensure that mountain communities thrive in the face of climate change,” he concluded, calling for strengthened global cooperation and attention to mountain preservation efforts.