The Fourth Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry in Greater Central Asia (GCA) concluded successfully in Darkhan, Mongolia, from 19 to 21 August 2025. The event brought together high-level delegations from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to discuss shared forestry challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation.
Figure 1 Group photo of the representatives
The meeting featured economy presentations on recent legislative, policy, and practical developments in the forestry sector. Discussions addressed pressing regional issues including forest fire prevention, desertification control, and large-scale ecosystem restoration.
●China highlighted two decades of achievements, including the Three-North Shelterbelt Project, which has lifted forest coverage to over 25% and curbed desertification. Protected areas span 18% of its territory, conserving 70% of wild giant pandas. The forestry sector generated $1.41 trillion and 60 million jobs in 2024. China advances regional cooperation via the “Green Silk Road” and China-Central Asia Desertification Control Center.
●Kazakhstan proposed a cross-border forest and steppe fire prevention and control system, grounded in its revised Ecological Code (2021). Key projects include rehabilitating 792,000 ha of the Aral Sea’s dried seabed and using drones for saxaul afforestation. The economy produces 3 million seedlings annually (90% survival rate) and has established a 102,000-ha greenbelt around Astana. Monitoring systems cover 1.3 million ha, supported by 24 state forest entities. These efforts demonstrate Kazakhstan’s scientific approach to environmental governance.
●Kyrgyzstan outlined its Forest Industry Development Concept to 2040, which seeks to expand forest cover to 6.5%, boost forestry’s GDP share, and reduce rural poverty. Despite climate-induced fire risks, Kyrgyzstan annually produces 16 million seedlings and plants 1,600 hectares of forest. Climate challenges such as wildfire losses and introduced initiatives like the “Zhashyl Muras” campaign. The presentation concluded with a call for enhanced regional cooperation are also highlighted in the speech.
●Mongolia showcased progress under the presidential “One Billion Tree” initiative and ongoing multilateral cooperation in preparation for COP17, which Mongolia will host in 2026. Key challenges include a 2.4°C temperature rise over 80 years and desertification affecting 76.9% of land. Strategic responses involve “Vision 2050”, supported by 1% GDP allocation and water-saving technologies, with multilateral cooperation emphasized.
●Tajikistan emphasized long-term greening and institutional reforms through the Greening Program to 2040 and the Paulownia Development Program (2024–2028), with a focus on sustainable financing, commercial forestry, and community engagement. A Central Asian forestry big data platform was proposed, with expertise sharing on high-altitude afforestation from Pamir Plateau projects, offering paradigms for arid zone forest management.
●Turkmenistan presented its sustainable forest management strategies at a regional dialogue, highlighting its National Forestry Programme (2021–2025). The country plants 3 million seedlings annually using innovative methods to enhance climate resilience, with a focus on arid zone afforestation and digital technology. It reaffirmed commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through APFNet, particularly in Aral Sea rehabilitation and transboundary water management.
●Uzbekistan commended China’s success in desertification control and expressed interest in deepening cooperation on joint projects, technology transfer, and capacity building. Under the Forestry Development Concept, forest cover is planned to expand to 14 million hectares by 2030, including 6 million hectares of forested land, alongside annual targets for seeds (840 tons), bee colonies (300,000), agricultural produce (32,000 tons), and medicinal plants (11,600 tons).
Figure 2 Group photo of delegates from Greater Central Asian economies at the Tujiin Nars (Eternal Pine) Protected Area in Northern Mongolia
As part of the program, delegates visited the Tujiin Nars National Park in Selenge Province, a prominent example of large-scale forest restoration in northern Mongolia near the Russian border. The field trip included tours of the visitors’ center, an observation tower, research sites, and areas affected by recent wildfires and pest outbreaks, providing firsthand insights into Mongolia’s forest management efforts.
Bilateral meetings were held between China and Mongolia, as well as between China and Uzbekistan, which reinforced commitments to collaborative projects, knowledge exchange, and technology sharing. It was also confirmed that Uzbekistan will host the Fifth Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry in Greater Central Asia in 2027.
A key outcome was the signing of a Letter of Intent between the National Forest Agency of Mongolia and the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet). This agreement will support Mongolia in establishing a forest monitoring and fire early-warning system to enhance fire prevention capacity.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Greater Central Asia Forestry Cooperation Mechanism (GCA-FCM) Action Plan for 2026–2027, signaling strong regional resolve to advance sustainable forestry cooperation. The plan focuses on four priority areas:
1.Ecosystem restoration
2.Transboundary resource management
3.Capacity building
4. Community livelihood improvement
Figure 4 The representatives are discussing future cooperation priorities and approaches.
The Action Plan aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UNCCD’s efforts to combat desertification, reaffirming GCA economies’ commitment to addressing shared ecological challenges such as land degradation, desertification, and transboundary fire risks.
