IUCN’s Dr Grethel Aguilar: Central Asia Must Act Now to Preserve Nature
On June 2, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) launched its Central Asian regional office in Tashkent, situated at the Central Asian University for Ecology and Climate (Green University). This strategic choice underscores a crucial partnership between academia, environmental experts, and governmental authorities to tackle pressing ecological challenges facing Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Glaciers melting: water crisis looms
«We cannot afford to lose Central Asia’s glaciers. They secure the region’s water supply, and they are melting,» warned Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), during her keynote speech.
The IUCN Director General emphasised that while global temperature increases threaten water security, coordinated and immediate action can reverse this trend.
Glacier preservation is critical for maintaining regional stability. Central Asia heavily relies on glacial water for agriculture, drinking water, and energy generation. Dr Aguilar stressed that if current climate change trends persist unchecked, severe water scarcity will follow, threatening regional economic stability and public health.
Saving species: red list and beyond
Dr Aguilar further addressed the pressing need for species conservation in Central Asia. She highlighted IUCN’s global Red List, noting that the inclusion of Uzbekistan’s data is crucial not only for awareness but also for direct conservation action.
«We must act proactively. Identifying endangered species is essential, but immediate steps to protect them are what truly count,» Dr Aguilar stated.
Reforesting the Aral Sea: an ecological and economic imperative
Addressing Uzbekistan’s efforts around the Aral Sea, Dr Aguilar praised ongoing afforestation initiatives as magnificent. She committed IUCN’s support to amplify these efforts, stressing that restoring the Aral Sea ecosystem is critical not only environmentally but also economically and socially for the region.
Cooperation without borders
The IUCN’s Tashkent office is regional, reflecting the organisation’s core principle: «Nature recognises no borders.» Dr Aguilar underscored the significance of regional cooperation, affirming that environmental issues transcend national boundaries. Only through joint efforts, she explained, can Central Asia effectively manage shared ecological resources and respond to climate threats.
Harnessing local knowledge
Dr Aguilar reiterated that achieving meaningful environmental conservation requires local involvement. She emphasised the importance of collaborating closely with communities, universities, and regional experts. «Uzbekistan possesses natural beauty and invaluable biodiversity. Our role is to equip local communities with knowledge and support to protect this treasure,» she concluded.
Future priorities outlined by Dr Aguilar include:
- Intensifying regional efforts for climate change adaptation.
- Expanding the effectiveness of the Red List for species protection.
- Accelerating afforestation and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building among Central Asian states.
The launch of the IUCN office in Tashkent is not merely symbolic—it marks a decisive step towards cohesive and practical regional cooperation on environmental protection. Action now, Dr Aguilar stressed, is vital to safeguarding Central Asia’s ecological and economic future.
