Uzbekistan has 27,000 unique and endangered species – better protecting this biodiversity must be a priority.

An interesting ‘silver lining’ of the global quarantine has been not just clearer skies and less pollution, but also the reappearance of wildlife in cities and other built-up spaces otherwise dominated by humans. COVID-19 has shown us that our presence, actions and inactions have direct impacts on biodiversity.  On May 22 UNDP Uzbekistan will recognize the International Day for Biological Diversity, the global theme for which is ‘Our solutions are in nature’. While we gradually restart our economies and societies, working to limit biodiversity loss for the benefit of all life on earth should be a focus both in Uzbekistan and around the world.

Uzbekistan has unique wildlife across greatly varied environments, which deserves our attention and protection. Our biodiversity includes some endangered species including snow leopards, Bukhara Deer and Saiga antelope that are listed in the National Red Book.

UNDP’s work to protect this flora and fauna is based on the understanding that true sustainable development must not only acknowledge the role biodiversity plays in development, but also provide enabling conditions for conservation.

UNDP has helped to establish the first newly created protected area since Uzbekistan’s independence – Lower Amudarya Biosphere reserve, supported to develop Uzbekistan’s Master Plan on Protected Areas Expansion, and also the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for 2019-2028. Policy support has been provided for improving legislation on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources including pastures, flora and fauna. Biodiversity Conservation Information Management System was established to promote evidence-based  planning and decision-making.

Conversation projects have covered Uzbekistan’s varied ecosystems including its deserts, Aral Sea basin, riparian areas, wetlands and mountains, with a focus on protecting endangered species. With GEF support, a National Snow Leopard Research and Monitoring Programme has been formed to study snow leopards and their prey, while a National Snow Leopard Programme and Action Plan will soon be provided to the government for adoption.While sound progress is made by the Government in the area of Biodiversity conservation, the responsible use of natural resources and ecosystems for the country become even more critical at times of increasing population and urbanization, intense reforms. The ecosystems of Uzbekistan are very vulnerable to climate change (desertification, leading to reduced biodiversity). Drying up of the Aral Sea is a bitter evidence of that. This calls that the economic and social reforms should be environmentally sustainable and are mutually consistent.

The United Nation’s International Day for Biological Diversity has been celebrated each year since 2001. The theme for 2020 reflects this year’s importance in global efforts to protect biodiversity, marking the end of the UN Decade on Biodiversity. A UN Biodiversity Summit will take place when possible, helping to frame a post-2020 global biodiversity framework and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Biological diversity is a concern common to all of us, and we all need to play an active role in protecting endangered species and their environments. Learn more at http://www.cbd.int/idb.