A regional seminar on the conservation and wise use of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, focusing on key aspects of wetland management, was held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on 8–9 September 2025. The seminar was supported by the regional programme ‘Green Central Asia Phase II’, implemented by GIZ. The seminar focused on key aspects of biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, taking into account their close interconnection with wetland ecosystems.

Representatives of international and regional partner organisations and financial institutions interested in promoting wetland and biodiversity conservation attended the event.

After the meeting, representatives from five Central Asian countries adopted the ‘Issyk-Kul Resolution 2025’. This resolution is intended to strengthen regional cooperation in the areas of biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.

The key commitments of the resolution include:

-Developing a joint Action Plan of the ‘Ramsar Regional Initiative for Central Asia’ until 2030.

– Expanding the network of Ramsar sites and improving their management.

– Promoting nature-based solutions for climate resilience.

– Safeguarding migratory bird routes and restoring degraded ecosystems.

– Engaging local communities in wetland conservation, sustainable use, and ecotourism development.

The resolution’s key outcome was the recognition of the need for joint action to protect the region’s ecosystems and preserve global bird migration routes.