Central Asian nations unite to protect nature: the Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan
A landmark agreement to build regional cooperation to stop illegal wildlife trade and drive sustainable livelihoods in Central Asia has been launched at the CITES CoP20 taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan 24 November- 5 December 2025. Known as the Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan, the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan and Uzbkistan signed a commitment to national and regional action that will benefit people and nature.
The unique biodiversity and breathtaking natural beauty of Central Asia has received a decisive boost following the launch of a historic Declaration of regional cooperation between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan of regional cooperation 2025-2032 for supporting sustainable use of wild fauna and flora resources and combatting wildlife trafficking in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) was signed on the eve of the 20th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP20) of the Convention on Illegal Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), being held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, from 24 November – 5 December.
Marking a significant step toward regional cooperation, the Declaration harmonizes legal frameworks, strengthens intelligence-sharing and aligns conservation with economic and social goals – positioning Central Asia as a key contributor to global biodiversity.
It comes at a critical time as Central Asia’s wildlife is facing increasing threats from habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, and illegal and unsustainable trade.
The Samarkand Declaration was signed during a High-Level Event focussing on elevating the strategic impact of CITES CoP20, including through innovative conservation finance solutions.
Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environment and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, emphasized that the challenges facing nature, including illegal wildlife crime, demand practical and coordinated actions.
Mr Abdukhakimov said: “The wildlife of Central Asia — the saiga, snow leopard, ibex, falcons, gazelles, and many other species — is facing growing threats: habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, and above all, illegal and unsustainable trade.
“Thousands of cases of illegal trade and poaching are recorded every year. Transnational networks involved in the trafficking of saiga horns, birds of prey, and other valuable species are being uncovered, and many smuggling routes simultaneously pass through several countries of the region.
The Samarkand Declaration is not just a document. It is the shared aspiration of the countries of Central Asia aimed at preserving the natural heritage of the region and creating a sustainable future. Today, we are sending a clear message: we choose cooperation over isolation, science over speculation, action over waiting. Let Samarkand become a symbol of unity for nature.”
Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environment and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate ChangeRichard Scobey, Executive Director of TRAFFIC, who attended the signing, said: “At a time when many countries are retreating from climate and biodiversity commitments, the governments of Central Asia are uniting in ambitious regional action to protect nature.”
“TRAFFIC is proud to join other partners in supporting the launch of the Samarkand Declaration and ensuring the successful implementation of this landmark agreement to deliver strong results for Central Asian biodiversity and the people who depend on it.”
The Declaration was enthusiastically endorsed during the official launched at an event on Day 1 of the CITES CoP20, attended by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev; Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic Almaz Musaev; Director of State Institution “Specially Protected Natural Areas” of Tajikistan Khurshed Shamsiddinzoda; CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero; the European Union, the United Kingdom, IUCN, UNODC, TRAFFIC, and other international organizations.
Speaking at the launch, Ivonne Higuero said:
This year, as we mark the 50th anniversary of CITES, we are reminded of how far international cooperation has brought us - and how essential such collaboration remains. For half a century, CITES has provided the framework for nations to work together in regulating the international trade in wildlife, ensuring that species are not threatened with extinction because of that trade. But that framework only comes alive when Parties demonstrate leadership, solidarity, and action. And today, the ministers of the Central Asian region are doing exactly that.”
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero
Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General. Photo by Anvar Zokirov
Beyond CoP20, TRAFFIC continues to extend its programme of work in Central Asia, collaborating with government and NGO partners to tackle illegal wildlife trade and enable legal and sustainable trade. Recently it supported the government of Kyrgyzstan to launch a novel database to stop wildlife smuggling.
Newly launched projects led by TRAFFIC, funded by the UK government via the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity fund, and funded by the European Union and led by UNODC, will play an instrumental role in supporting key elements of the Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and building the skills needed to tackle illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade.
Notes:
Side event funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative.
About the Darwin Initiative
The Darwin Initiative is a UK government programme with a focus on biodiversity projects.
