Central Asia–Russia Interregional Group Delivered a Statement at CRIC-23 in Panama

On 1 December, the Central Asia–Russia Interregional Group (IRG) delivered its consolidated statement at the plenary session of CRIC-23 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Speaking on behalf of the Group, Mr. Berdy Berdyev emphasized that the IRG has evolved into an effective mechanism for regional scientific and practical cooperation, addressing land degradation, drought and sand and dust storms.

Established in 2019, the IRG quickly developed from a technical dialogue platform into a stable cooperation framework uniting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Its work fully aligns with the UNCCD 2030 Strategic Framework, focusing on transboundary environmental challenges that affect all countries of the region.

In 2023–2024, the IRG finalized its institutional architecture by adopting its Rules of Procedure and Roadmap to 2030, enabling operational work through thematic expert groups.

Contributions of the Member States

Kazakhstan is one of the first Central Asian countries to begin developing a comprehensive digital land-monitoring system. Its accumulated experience in creating digital agricultural maps serves as a reference point for developing compatible regional standards and sharing best practices. The country is also planning to launch a unified digital land resources platform, which will form a foundation for rational and effective land management.

Kyrgyzstan, coordinating the area of mountain pasture management, shares methodologies on adaptive grazing and the restoration of degraded lands in challenging high-altitude environments, which is critical for sustaining local livelihoods. Its initiatives aimed at preserving mountain ecosystems include the proclamation of 2023–2027 as the “Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions,” supported by the United Nations.

The Russian Federation, acting to some extent as a donor within the group, has initiated the development of an Intercountry Methodological Guide on Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). Russia’s experience in carbon farming, agroforestry, and steppe ecosystem restoration offers valuable cases for adaptation.

Tajikistan, coordinating the area related to glacial water reserves, raises one of the region’s most fundamental challenges – glacier melt. Its initiative to designate 2025 as the International Year for Glacier Preservation has been directly reflected in the work of the SRG and draws global attention to water-resource challenges in Central Asia.

Turkmenistan, coordinating work on desert pastures, demonstrates advanced expertise in stabilizing shifting sands and managing pastures in extremely arid conditions. The initiative of the President of Turkmenistan to establish a Regional Center for Combating Desertification for Central Asian and neighboring countries strengthens the region’s collective capacities.

Uzbekistan, leading coordination on dust and sand storms, is actively developing a monitoring and early warning system. Its large-scale efforts in afforestation and phytoremediation on the dried Aral Sea bed provide a unique example of combating one of the world’s largest sources of dust.

Flagship IRG Initiatives

The Group is advancing two major regional products:

• the Regional Land Resources Assessment, and

• the Intercountry Methodological Guidance on LDN.

Both are planned for presentation at COP-17 in Ulaanbaatar in 2026.

Strategic Priorities

The IRG outlined its future priorities: completing ongoing projects, strengthening cooperation with FAO, UNDP and UNEP, expanding new areas such as carbon farming and drought adaptation, and deepening interregional dialogue.

In closing, Mr. Berdy Berdyev stressed that the IRG represents a reliable model of partnership, bringing together science, policy and practice, and encouraged the international community to view the Group as an effective mechanism for implementing UNCCD initiatives.