As part of the Regional Environmental Summit 2026, a panel session titled “Green Shield of Central Asia” addressed the development of a regional system of protective forest belts and green barriers to combat land degradation and dust storms.
Kazakhstan proposed launching the “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative as a long-term foundation for environmental sustainability, rather than a one-time afforestation campaign.
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev highlighted the country’s experience in afforestation under challenging conditions, including the forest belt around Astana, where over 102,000 hectares of forest have been created since 1997.
“This demonstrates that even previously non-forested lands can be restored through science-based approaches and long-term planning,” the Minister stated.
Kazakhstan is implementing large-scale greening programs, including planting 2 billion trees in the national forest fund and 15 million trees in urban areas, forming a national “green framework.”
Particular attention is being given to the Aral Sea region, where large-scale afforestation is underway on the dried seabed of approximately 6 million hectares. Since 2021, over 1.1 million hectares have been planted with saxaul and other resilient species.
These efforts contribute to reducing transboundary dust storms, stabilizing the regional environment, and improving living conditions.
At the same time, dust and sandstorms are becoming more frequent, especially in the Aral region and western parts of Central Asia. Experts estimate that around 9 square meters of land degrade into desert every minute.
In this context, the initiative aligns with international priorities, including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Preparatory work has already been carried out jointly with regional partners, including the development of a draft resolution and identification of afforestation sites. Participating countries include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The initiative предусматривает clear implementation phases, measurable indicators, and monitoring mechanisms, with each country defining its own priority areas.
The session brought together representatives from Central Asia, China, and international organizations such as FAO, UNDP, GIZ, and others.
As a result, participants agreed on key areas of cooperation and signed the “Green Shield of Central Asia” Resolution, launching the initiative for 2026–2035.
📌 Source: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
