Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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December 11, 2025 Climate and environment
Climate change poses a serious threat to the most vital aspects of life in mountain countries. This includes global warming-related natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, water shortages, and slower economic growth. In 2025, International Mountain Day, celebrated on December 11, will focus on the theme "The Importance of Glaciers for Water, Food, and Livelihoods in Mountain Areas and Beyond."
This issue is of particular importance for the Central Asian region. In an interview with the UN News Service, Aida Kasymalieva, Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan to the United Nations, noted that over the past 70 years, the area of glaciers in her country alone has shrunk by 16 percent. In some regions, she said, virtually all glaciers have disappeared.
Problems of mountainous countries
"Mountains are a priceless natural treasure, occupying a quarter of the Earth's surface. River basins originate in the mountains, supplying fresh water to vast regions downstream. The lives of people living in the lower reaches also depend on the processes occurring in mountain regions and ecosystems," the ambassador explained.
Due to climate change, water resources in the Central Asian region are declining every year, which negatively impacts water, energy, and food security, as well as the overall socio-economic situation.
"As for Kyrgyzstan, our country has experienced a sharp increase in landslides in recent years. More than 300 incidents have resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, loss of life, and the displacement of thousands of residents in vulnerable regions," Kasymalieva said.
“In addition, we are seeing intense melting of glaciers and a reduction in the area of glaciation, low water levels, drought, and desertification,” she added.
It is estimated that Kyrgyzstan could lose more than half of its glaciers by 2100.
The country's authorities are trying to attract the attention of the international community to the problems of mountainous countries and give new impetus to efforts aimed at solving them.
Mountain initiatives of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has put forward numerous initiatives in this area. In particular, it proposed celebrating International Mountain Day. From 1998 to 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted 13 resolutions dedicated to the problems of mountain countries.
Kyrgyzstan is also a member of several groups, including the Mountain Partnership Negotiating Group, which represents the interests of mountain countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Kyrgyzstan's mountain initiatives were reflected in the final reports of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference. Thanks to the efforts of many mountain countries, the mountain agenda was included in the final document. Kyrgyzstan also initiated the inclusion of a new global dialogue, "Mountains and Climate," in the annual UN Climate Change Conference calendar.
One of the peaks in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region has been given the geographical name "United Nations Peak." The country regularly hosts mountain-themed events at the UN.
Photo by the Permanent Mission of Kyrgyzstan to the UN.
Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to the UN Aida Kasymalieva.
This year, Kyrgyzstan hosted the Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development. Representatives from over 50 countries in Europe, Asia, America, and Africa, as well as 29 international organizations, participated in the conference.
In October 2027, Kyrgyzstan will host the Second Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek 25”, 25 years after the First Summit.
Kyrgyzstan is currently actively promoting the adoption of an updated version of the resolution "Sustainable Mountain Development," approved by the General Assembly in 2022.
"The Kyrgyz Republic intends to continue the global mountain dialogue with partner countries and international organizations, as well as the preparation of the Bishkek Declaration as the final document of the Bishkek 25 summit," Kasymalieva said.
Participation in the Climate Conference in Belém
The Kyrgyz delegation actively participated in the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. At Kyrgyzstan's suggestion, multilateral consultations on mountains and climate change were held.
The Kyrgyz delegation actively participated in the negotiation process at COP-30, promoting the inclusion of the mining agenda in the conference's final documents.
"The targeted and systematic promotion of the mountain agenda has allowed Kyrgyzstan to maintain its role as an initiator and leader among mountain countries in recent years. We have ambitious plans for sustainable mountain development, but unfortunately, we cannot achieve this alone," said Kasymalieva.
"We are counting on comprehensive support from the international community, the UN, climate and green funds, and donor countries. But most importantly, the unity and joint efforts of the mountain countries themselves," she added.
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