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At 91��ý Kazakh National University, the opening of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Problems and Prospects for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Central Asia” took place, which brought together more than 100 leading world experts from 15 countries to discuss current problems, challenges, and achievements in the field of studying the biodiversity of Central Asia (CA), including the conservation of the Sievers apple tree, environmental protection, ecological tourism, and education. The importance of these tasks is directly related to the implementation of SDG 13 “Climate Action”, SDG 14 “Life Below Water” and SDG 15 “Life on Land”.

At the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the establishment of the Central Asian-German Institute for Ecosystem and Biodiversity Conservation at 91��ý Kazakh National University. The conference was opened by Rector Zh.K. Tuimebayev, who noted that the University, being a leading scientific and educational center of the country, actively contributes to sustainable development through education, scientific research, partnerships, and social initiatives. The organizers of the Conference were the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development, whose research is related to the comprehensive study of the conservation of Kazakhstan’s natural biodiversity, rational use of natural resources, and sustainable development, with the support of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. The co-organizers of the conference also included: the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), the Kazakhstan National Committee of the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” Programme, the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Institute of Geography and Water Security, the Almaty State Nature Reserve, the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, the Ile-Alatau National Natural Park, and the public association “Jerdin Dostary.”

The conference lasted three days, during which, in addition to plenary sessions and sectional meetings, field sessions were held on the second and third days. The field session (November 7, 2025) took place on the territory of the Almaty State Nature Reserve. The program included:

• Gathering of participants at the KazNU library parking area and departure to the reserve;
• Welcome speech by the director of the reserve D.B. Abilganiev on biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability;
• Visit to the museum and screening of a film about the reserve;
• Environmental action on tree planting at School-Gymnasium No. 25 in the city of Talgar;
• экскурсия по экологическим тропам с демонстрацией методов мониторинга редких видов и наблюдением за растительными и ландшафтными комплексами;
• Lunch in nature and a round table on expanding the network of protected areas and transboundary cooperation.

The field session at the Botanical Garden of Almaty (November 8, 2025) included:

• Gathering of participants at the Triumphal Arch of KazNU;
• Screening of a popular science film on biodiversity;
• Presentations on environmental education and conservation of rare species:
• P.V. Veselova – rare species of Betpak-Dala;
• B.K. Kospenbetova – environmental education in the botanical garden;
• T.Sh. Murzataeva – biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability in urban conditions;
• Excursion through plant collections, rare and endemic species, and monitoring methods;
• Conclusion of the conference with discussion of results, exchange of experience, and plans for joint projects on biodiversity conservation.

The above-mentioned field sessions allowed scientists, in real time, not only to familiarize themselves with the biodiversity of Kazakhstan but also to outline future topics for joint research. On November 8, a working meeting of scientists and researchers was also held following the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Problems and Prospects for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Central Asia.” Representatives of Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan took part in the discussion. During the meeting, prospects for the development of international cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation were considered and ways for the joint implementation of scientific projects were proposed. One of the key areas of discussion was the project “The Impact of Urban Flora on Environmental Decarbonization in Europe and Central Asia and the Development of Smart Green Zone Models within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 15.” The topic of the project was recognized as relevant in the context of urbanization, increasing resource consumption, and the need to adapt to climate change.

Special attention was also given to the initiative to implement the project “Study of the impact of urban soils in Germany and Central Asia on the state of vegetation under anthropogenic factors and the development of methods for soil improvement without chemical fertilizers.” This direction is of great importance for finding environmentally safe solutions in the field of conservation and restoration of green spaces. “Joint research will make it possible to develop scientifically grounded approaches to improving the quality of urban soils and increasing vegetation sustainability using natural and biotechnological methods,” the participants of the meeting noted. The results of the meeting became an important step in the development of international scientific partnership and determined the directions for further interaction within initiatives on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Tursynkul BAZARBAYEVA,

Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor,

Head of the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management