Regional Summit Sparks Stronger Central Asian Action on Wildlife Trade

The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES 2026), held in Astana, Kazakhstan from 22–24 April, marked a critical milestone for strengthening regional cooperation in Central Asia on shared environmental priorities — including combatting wildlife trafficking and advancing solutions for legal, sustainable and traceable wildlife trade. 

Convened under the theme Harmony with Nature for Regional Resilience, and attended by Heads of State, ministers, UNODC, nternational organisations and development partners, the Summit provided an unprecedented platform to translate political commitments into coordinated regional action.  

TRAFFIC, the leading global NGO working on wildlife trade, welcomed the Summit as a timely opportunity to embed wildlife trade and biodiversity security more firmly within regional environmental and development agendas, alongside climate, land and water governance.  

Wildlife trafficking continues to pose a serious transboundary challenge across Central Asia, requiring collective responses that strengthen enforcement while supporting sustainable livelihoods and responsible trade. 

The Summit builds directly on momentum generated by the Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan (2025–2032), adopted by Central Asian governments at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES CoP20) in Uzbekistan. The Declaration commits countries to joint action to combat illegal wildlife trade, strengthen cross‑border cooperation among enforcement authorities, and promote the sustainable use of wild fauna and flora in line with economic and social development objectives. 

Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized the significance of the Regional Ecological Summit as setting mechanisms for more effective regional solutions to implement biodiversity conservation commitments:  

“The recovery of the saiga antelope in Kazakhstan shows what is possible when countries work together to address illegal wildlife trade through coordinated protection and science‑based management. Kazakhstan sees regional cooperation, legal and traceable wildlife trade, and strong cross‑border governance as essential to sustaining conservation gains, supporting livelihoods and ensuring long‑term ecological resilience across Central Asia.” 

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chair of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, underlined the importance of linking high‑level commitments with practical implementation: 

“The Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan reflect our shared understanding that illegal wildlife trade is not only a threat to biodiversity, but also to sustainable development, security and regional stability. Platforms such as the Regional Ecological Summit create the space to turn these commitments into coordinated, practical action — strengthening cooperation, information exchange and responsible use of our natural resources.” 

Ivonne Higuero, Secretary‑General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), emphasised the importance of aligning regional initiatives with global frameworks governing wildlife trade: 

“Wildlife trade is by its nature transboundary, and it can only be effectively governed through cooperation between countries that is supported by legal compliance, science and strong enforcement. The Regional Ecological Summit convened by Kazakhstan provides a valuable opportunity to build on the commitments of the Samarkand Declaration signed prior to CITES CoP20 in 2025. This collective commitment by the Central Asia region is a powerful example of how regional environmental cooperation aligns with the global CITES framework to ensure international wildlife trade is legal, sustainable and traceable and supports conservation and people’s livelihoods.” 

TRAFFIC outlined how effective action against wildlife trafficking must go hand in hand with enabling legal, transparent and well‑governed wildlife trade, ensuring that benefits reach local communities and that market demand does not fuel illegal exploitation. 

Anastasiya Timoshyna, Programme Office Director – Europe and Central Asia at TRAFFIC, said: 

“RES 2026 sends a strong signal that Central Asia is serious about regional solutions to transboundary environmental challenges. Building on the Samarkand Declaration, this Summit is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation against wildlife trafficking while supporting legal, traceable and well‑regulated wildlife trade that contributes to livelihoods, nature conservation and long‑term regional resilience.” 

As Central Asian countries face increasing pressures from climate change, habitat loss and illegal trade, the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 reinforced the message that regional solidarity, political leadership and coordinated governance are essential.