President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa attended the opening of the regional ecological summit in Astana on Thursday. The summit forms part of his state visit to Kazakhstan. Mongolia is participating with three specific initiatives at this regional ecological summit. These initiatives focus on water management, pastureland management, and nature based solutions. Participants are discussing eight priority themes during the gathering. These themes include support for climate transition and adaptation to natural risks. Economic resilience and regional ecosystems also feature prominently on the agenda.
Food security and sustainable natural resource management remain key discussion points. Air pollution and waste management require urgent attention from all participants. Mechanisms for implementing environmental goals will receive thorough review. A just and inclusive transition alongside environmental digital transformation complete the themes. The regional ecological summit aims to define joint policies for several pressing issues. These include water shortages, glacier and ice melt, and desertification. Air pollution also requires coordinated cross border action.
President Khurelsukh thanked President Tokayev for hosting this regional ecological summit. He noted that the meeting would make an important contribution to overcoming global challenges. Climate change, desertification, and water scarcity need collective action from all nations. Khurelsukh acknowledged that Sustainable Development Goal implementation remains insufficient globally. Mongolia is actively advancing its Billions of Trees national movement. This movement reduces land degradation and restores forests across the country.
Moreover, the president called for cooperation under Mongolia’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists initiative. This effort aims to raise recognition of the pastoral sector significantly. It also promotes sustainable pasture management and restoration efforts. Investment and food security remain central to this initiative’s goals. Khurelsukh said Mongolia would work closely to implement summit proposals. The regional ecological summit will generate recommendations for future action.
Khurelsukh also invited countries to attend the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. This conference will take place in Ulaanbaatar during August. The theme for that gathering is Restoring Land, Restoring Hope. He also invited nations to send delegations to the World Women Parliamentarians Conference. That event will occur in October of this year. President Tokayev first announced Kazakhstan’s plan to host the regional ecological summit in 2026. He made this announcement while addressing the 78th UN General Assembly in 2023.
Approximately 1,500 representatives are attending the regional ecological summit. Heads of state and government are present from many countries. Senior officials from Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have arrived. Representatives from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia also attend. Georgia, Russia, China, Italy, Germany, and Japan sent delegations as well. United Nations representatives and international organizations participate actively. The Asian Development Bank and World Bank have sent officials. Researchers, civil society, businesses, and media are also present.
Additionally, more than 50 cooperation documents will receive signatures at the regional ecological summit. These include joint statements, declarations, and agreements. Initiatives, investment projects, and programs will also be finalized. The Presidential Office also confirmed these figures ahead of the closing session. Future cooperation on environmental issues will likely expand after this summit. The regional ecological summit concludes with concrete action plans for all participating nations.
