ASTANA - Speaking at the plenary session of the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shared the country's experience in biodiversity conservation, Zakon.kz reports.
The head of state emphasized that biodiversity conservation remains a key focus of Kazakhstan's environmental policy.
Achievements in protecting rare species:
"Continuous efforts have yielded tangible results: we have succeeded in restoring the saiga population. The number of snow leopards in Kazakhstan has more than doubled, reaching approximately 190 individuals," Tokayev stated.
According to him, in collaboration with international partners, Kazakhstan is working to reintroduce and restore populations of other rare species, including falcons, Turanian tigers, and Przewalski's horses.
Large-scale reforestation:
The president paid special attention to the forest restoration program. Over the past five years, more than 1.5 billion trees have been planted across the country, covering an area of over 1 million hectares.
"This includes saxaul plantations on the dry bed of the Aral Sea, in collaboration with Uzbek specialists, to slow the desertification process," Tokayev added.
A call for international cooperation:
The head of state called on partners to join the International Fund for the Conservation of Rare Species and Biodiversity, a platform for cross-border cooperation in scientific research and effective ecosystem protection.
"Kazakhstan is open to dialogue and ready to share its experience in implementing environmental initiatives that are important for the entire region," the president concluded.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 22, 2026