At a side event held during the 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, Uzbekistan introduced its first ecological classification of forest ecosystems. The session, titled “Nature-Based Projects: Ecological Forest Classification for Biodiversity Conservation”, showcased new scientific developments, highlighted the role of modern technologies in protecting rare species, and emphasized the importance of strengthening national and international cooperation in environmental protection.
In their opening remarks, Obidjon Kudratov, First Deputy Minister of Ecology, and Olim Hakimov, Director of the “Yashil Loyikha” Project Institute, underscored the importance of a scientific approach to ecosystem assessment, biodiversity monitoring and sustainable natural resource management.
Participants were presented with information on integrating biodiversity conservation into national policy frameworks, the scientific and practical value of ecological forest classification, as well as global best practices in sustainable forest management. The methodology is based on the use of artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, GIS technologies and advanced digital mapping tools.
For the first time, Uzbekistan has developed a comprehensive national system that identifies habitats of rare species, maps environmental risks, establishes a national ecological information platform, and provides scientifically grounded data for CITES reporting.
Discussions covered key topics, including the role of ecological classification in conserving rare species, the integration of RESILAND project outcomes into national planning, the use of classification data for monitoring and reporting under CITES, opportunities for regional cooperation, and engagement of local communities in conservation efforts.
The new classification system represents Uzbekistan’s first integrated digital scientific platform for forest ecosystems and is expected to become an essential instrument for sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection, and fulfilling CITES commitments.
📌Source: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
