On 18-19 August 2026, the Sughd Region of Tajikistan hosted a Regional Coordination Meeting on wetland conservation and regional cooperation in Central Asia. The meeting brought together representatives of government institutions, research organisations, civil society and environmental experts from across the region.
The main working session took place on 18 August at the Training Centre of the National Bank of Tajikistan in Guliston. Around 30 participants from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, together with international experts, discussed the current state of wetlands and Ramsar sites, ongoing conservation initiatives and opportunities to further strengthen regional cooperation.
The meeting was organised by the Youth Group for the Protection of the Environment (YGPE), with the support of the “EU4Sustainable Central Asia” project, implemented by GIZ, as part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation through the Central Asian Conservation Network (CACN) and in cooperation with the Regional Ramsar Initiative for Central Asia (RRI-CA).
Particular attention was given to the conservation of habitats for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway, monitoring of waterbirds and other migratory species, the International Waterbird Census, the application of Ramsar Convention tools, cooperation with protected areas, environmental education and the engagement of local communities.
During the working sessions, participants identified existing gaps in monitoring and institutional capacity and discussed practical areas for further cooperation. Key priorities included strengthening the exchange of knowledge and data, joint monitoring, regional conservation initiatives, the development of CEPA- communication, education, participation and awareness – and the preparation of joint projects.
The proposals discussed during the meeting could provide a basis for the further development of a regional roadmap for wetland conservation in Central Asia.
On 19 August, participants took part in a field visit to the wetlands and tugai ecosystems of the Tajik Sea. The visit provided an opportunity to explore the area’s natural ecosystems, observe birds and continue professional exchange in the field.
The meeting marked a practical step towards strengthening cooperation among government institutions, the scientific community and environmental organisations across Central Asia, while promoting joint approaches to the conservation of transboundary ecosystems and biodiversity in the region.
