Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mansur Oshurbayev met with FAO Assistant Director-General – Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Mr. Viorel Gutu, during which the parties discussed issues of sustainable management of natural resources, restoration of forest ecosystems, waste management and climate change.
Particular attention was paid to the implementation of a joint project to conduct an inventory, monitoring and elimination of obsolete pesticides, as well as measures taken to prevent their negative impact on the environment and public health.
Mansur Oshurbaev also emphasized the importance of the work carried out with FAO on forest restoration.
“As is known, the Head of State has set the task of planting 2 billion trees by 2027. Since 2021, 1.1 billion trees have been planted in the republic, and 15 million trees will be planted in populated areas to create comfortable conditions for citizens.
It is worth noting that over the years of independence, the area of the republic’s forest fund has increased by 6.9 million hectares (25%).
And today we are faced with the task of preserving existing forests and creating new ones, as well as greening cities and towns. FAO support is important here,” the vice minister noted.
The Kazakh side also proposed cooperation with FAO in carrying out landscaping work on the dried bed of the Aral Sea (DBAS), where the area of saxaul plantings already reaches over 670 thousand hectares.
At the same time, M. Oshurbayev expressed gratitude to FAO for the assistance provided in the development of Kazakhstan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the sector of agriculture, forestry and other types of land use.
Noting the work carried out by the Ministry in preparation for the Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026, the Vice Minister invited FAO to take part in the First Regional Consultation on March 13 this year in Almaty.
“The implementation of joint projects contributes not only to improving food security, but also to the preservation of natural capital, which is an important contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
In this regard, we are interested in further strengthening our joint partnership on the path to successful adaptation to modern environmental challenges and ensuring a sustainable future for Kazakhstan and the entire region,” M. Oshurbayev noted at the end of the meeting.
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ecogeo/press/news/details/952631?lang=ru