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Global Sustainable Mountain Development: Contribution of
Kyrgyzstan in Solving of Problems in Mountainous Countries
Asylbek AIDARALIEV1*, Maksatbek ANARBAEV1 and Cholpon DZHUMAGULOV2
1International University of Kyrgyzstan
Chui Avenue 255a, 720001, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
2
International Institute of Mountains
Manas Avenue 22, 720001, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic*E-mail: chairman@iuk.kg

Abstract
The term ‘global sustainable mountain development’ refers to the collective efforts aimed at promoting
sustainability and addressing the specific challenges faced by mountainous regions worldwide. Kyrgyzstan, as amountainous country initiated a declaration of 2002 as the International Year of Mountains in 1998 and madesignificant contributions towards solving problems in such regions through various initiatives andcollaborations. Mountains are vital hotspots that encompass a wide range of valuable resources, both naturaland cultural, hosting unique and diverse ecosystems and livelihoods. Therefore, it is crucial to address the
specific challenges faced by mountainous countries and promote sustainable development within the Global
Mountain Agenda.
Key words: Bishkek Mountain Platform, Global Mountain Agenda, International Year of Mountains,
Kyrgyzstan, mountain ecosystems and livelihoods, sustainable mountain development

1. Introduction
Before beginning, the authors would like to note thatfor several of years, Prof. Asylbek Aidaraliev worked in
the Russian Far East as Director of the Institute for
Biological Problems of the North, Far Eastern Branch of
the USSR Academy of Sciences. The ‘perestroika’process initiated by President Gorbachev during that time
made it possible to establish contacts with the Universityof Alaska and several other American scientificinstitutions. Together with the American Association for
Advancement of Science, his institute organized
conference entitled: “Bering Bridge: Present and Future”.
Prof. Asylbek Aidaraliev took part in reorganizing theMagadan Pedagogical Institute into Magadan University
with participation of specialists from the University of
Alaska and Hokkaido University, and he came up with theidea of creating the International University of
Kyrgyzstan, which would operate according to theWestern standards. In 1993, he returned to Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan’s capital, and organized the International
University of Kyrgyzstan, co-founded by San FranciscoState University. He suggested to his colleagues from theAmerican Association for Advancement of Science to
Global Environmental Research
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hold a conference similar to the one held in the Russian
Far East, so they decided to organize a conference in 1996
named: “High Mountain Research: Changes andPerspectives in 21st Century”. The conference’s
resolution included a paragraph on the need to organize anInternational Year of Mountains. This idea was supportedby the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Askar Akaev,
who wrote a letter addressed to the United Nations
Secretary-General. Then Prof. Aidaraliev took this letterand traveled to the New York where meetings anddiscussions were held with many delegations, andworking together with representatives from Kyrgyzstan at
the United Nations, they prepared a resolution for theUnited Nations General Assembly. As a result, in 1998, by
Resolution A/RES/53/24, the United Nations General
Assembly proclaimed 2002 the International Year of
Mountains.

2. The Global Mountain Agenda‘The Global Mountain Agenda’ refers to a set ofpriorities and actions aimed at addressing the specificchallenges and opportunities related to sustainable
mountain development. Moreover, it encompasses a range©2023 AIRIES

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of issues and goals that are vital for the well-being ofmountain ecosystems, local communities, sustainable
livelihoods and poverty reduction.
In 1992 at the World Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro,
special attention was given to the mountain environment.
The United Nations Conference on Environment andDevelopment (UNCED) adopted Chapter 13 of Agenda
21, titled “Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable
Mountain Development.” This agenda supported
Kyrgyzstan’s initiative in 1998 to declare 2002 theInternational Year of Mountains. The United Nationsorganized a working group to celebrate the Year of
Mountains, of which Prof. Aidaraliev became a member
from Kyrgyzstan.
In 2002, the Mountain Partnership was launchedduring the World Summit on Sustainable Development in
Johannesburg. It was supported by the Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
and evolved into a voluntary alliance of governments,
intergovernmental organizations and major stakeholders
committed to promoting sustainable mountain
development. The partnership aims to improve thelivelihoods of mountain communities and protect
mountain environments through collaborative efforts.
As the initiator, Kyrgyzstan began actively
participating in and hosting various events at theinternational, regional, and national levels. In 1998,
following adoption of the United Nations General
Assembly Resolution, the National Center for Mountain
Regions Development of the Kyrgyz Republic wasestablished by presidential decree. The center serves as acoordinating state body for preparing and promoting
projects and programs at the global, regional, and national
levels.

resources have not just for national and regional
importance, but also global importance (Aidaraliev,2020).

2.1 The Importance of Mountains
At the United Nations, we justified our initiatives bypointing out that mountains occupy one fifth of the earth’s
land and about 10% of world’s population is living inmountainous areas. In fact, according to the latest data,
nowadays around 22% of the world’s population lives inmountainous areas (Anarbaev, 2022). Most of world’s
population depends on mountain resources for water,
agriculture, forestry, mining and biodiversity. Mountain
resources are not only of national and regionaltransboundary importance. Mountains supply more thanhalf of humanity with fresh water, mountains are the‘water towers’ of the world. Mountainous regions accountfor a significant portion of the world’s timber, mineral
resources and pastures. As reported by the FAO (2016)
mountains are home to the largest number of diverse
ethnic groups and ancient cultural traditions, a repositoryof rich ecological information and habitat for a variety ofmountain-adapted species. The fact that mountains have arich variety of vast natural landscapes and cultures has
made them very attractive for tourism. Mountain

To implement the International Year of Mountains,
the Council of Patrons of Mountain Countries was created,
led by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, andincluding heads of governments and leaders of donor andinternational organizations. The initiative aimed atpromoting and addressing the specific challenges faced by
mountainous regions globally. The involvement of the
President of the Kyrgyz Republic showed the importanceplaced on the issue of sustainable mountain development
and highlighted the recognition of Kyrgyzstan’s
leadership in this field.

2.2. The Mountainous Countries
Being a global intergovernmental organization, theUnited Nations has 193 member states, among which aremany countries referred to as mountainous countries.
According to the data from the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (2001), there are 53 suchcountries. With a few exceptions, these countries are
generally less developed in terms of socio-economic
indicators compared to lowland areas. Mountainous
countries face socio-economic challenges associated withgeographic constraint, limited agricultural potential, lackof basic services such as healthcare, education, cleanwater and sanitation, vulnerability to natural disasters, andlimited economic diversification (Anarbaev, 2018). It istrue that while many mountainous regions facesocio-economic challenges, there are exceptions where
favorable geographical factors contribute to relatively
comfortable living and economic conditions. Proximity towarm oceans and seas, access to water transport, andlocation in subtropical or tropical zones can indeed
provide certain advantages to mountainous countries interms of climate, natural resources, and economic
opportunities. These factors can contribute to bettersocio-economic
indicators
comparedtoothermountainous regions. It is important to consider theunique characteristics and diversity within mountainous
countries and regions when discussing their living
conditions and socio-economic development.

3. The International Year of Mountains

3.1 The Bishkek Global Mountain Summit
The United Nations General Assembly, in its
Resolutions A/RES/53/24 and A/RES/55/189, declared
2002 as the International Year of Mountains. This
designation aimed to raise awareness and promotesustainable mountain development worldwide.
Chapter 13 of the 21st Century Agenda, which refers
to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation adopted
during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in

Global sustainable mountain development

2002, highlights the importance of sustainable mountain
development and recognizes the need to address the
specific challenges faced by mountain regions.
The Bishkek Global Mountain Summit, held from
October 28 to November 1, 2002, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan,served as the final event of the International Year of
Mountains as designated by the United Nations.
The summit brought together international leaders,experts and stakeholders to discuss and address thechallenges and opportunities related to sustainable
mountain development. The participation of Kofi Annan,
who was then Secretary-General of the United Nations,highlights the significance and global attention given to
the issues faced by mountain regions.
The Bishkek Mountain Platform is the outcome
document of the Bishkek Global Mountain Summit andbecame a framework for cooperation established during
the International Year of Mountains. The platform served
as a means to foster international collaboration, exchange
knowledge and promote sustainable mountain
development.
As a result of these efforts, the United Nations,through its Resolution A/RES/57/245, designatedDecember 11 as International Mountain Day in 2003. Thisannual observance aims to raise awareness about theimportance of mountains and the need for sustainable
development in mountainous regions. It provides anopportunity to promote actions and initiatives that address
the specific challenges faced by mountains and highlighttheir crucial role in providing ecosystem services,supporting biodiversity and sustaining the livelihoods ofmillions of people worldwide.
Following the Bishkek Global Mountain Summit,
Kyrgyzstan adopted several fundamental documents onsustainable mountain development:- The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Mountain
Territories” was adopted.
- With the support of the ADB project “Regional
Cooperation for Sustainable Mountain Development inCentral Asia,” the Central Asian Mountain Information
Network (CAMIN) was established in Bishkek. It isbased at the International Institute of Mountains at theInternational University of Kyrgyzstan. CAMIN covers
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and
the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
- Kyrgyzstan prepared the “National Strategy and Action
Plan for Sustainable Development of Mountain
Regions of the Kyrgyz Republic” and adopted it for
implementation by the Government in 2022. Similar
documents were also prepared for the other Central
Asian republics.
- The “Regional Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable
Development of Mountain Areas” was prepared.
- The Central Asian Mountain Charter was prepared, andsigned by the leadership of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
and Tajikistan.

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3.2 Further Outcomes of the Summit
It should be emphasized that the Bishkek Global
Mountain Summit served as a basis for the international
community and its financial institutions to provide
extensive financial, technical and other assistance to poorand developing mountainous countries. Subsequently, theUnited Nations adopted several important documents thatencompassed fundamental political and socio-economic
decisions. These documents aimed to address the specificchallenges faced by mountainous regions and promotesustainable development in those areas.
- Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/58/203 in 2004 on “External Debt Crisis andDevelopment.”- Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/59/238 in 2005 on “Rendering Assistance toPoor Mountain Countries to Overcome Obstacles in theSocio-economic and Ecological Areas.”- Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/62/196 in 2008 on “Sustainable Mountain
Development.”

4. Initiatives for Mountainous Countries
4.1 Organization of a Group of Developing Mountain
StatesSome poor mountainous countries have been
included for special programs such as “Heavily Indebted
Poor Countries” (HIPC) and “Small Island Developing
States” (SIDS). However, up to now, the mountainous
countries have not formed an active group to defend andpromote their interests in sustainable development andenvironmental protection. At one time, in 2005, the“Mountain Initiative” project, developed by theInternational Institute of Mountains, the Institute forExternal Debt Problems of the International University of
Kyrgyzstan, and the National Center for Mountain
Regions Development of the Kyrgyz Republic, provided
an opportunity to address the challenges faced by
mountainous regions. This project aimed to promotesustainable development and find solutions to issues
related to mountainous areas. In addition, in 2005, incollaboration with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, a document
titled “Exchange of External Debt for Sustainable
Development” was prepared. This document outlined
Kyrgyzstan’s approaches and initiatives, defining its
overall strategy and action plan for sustainable
development. Despite the help and assistance provided bydeveloped states and international financial organizations,developing mountainous countries and regions continue toface conflicts, terrorism, and drug trafficking. Theseissues are often attributed to the poverty experienced by
the population residing in mountainous regions. Moreover,many developing mountainous states carry a heavy
burden of external debt, which continues to grow despite
timely interest and principal payments. One potential

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solution addressing the challenges of sustainable
mountain development is through debt swaps and external
debt write-offs. The International University of
Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with the National Center for
the Development of Mountainous Regions of the Kyrgyz
Republic, has undertaken the development of various
projects aimed at debt write-off and debt swapping. Oneof these projects is the “Organization of a Group of
Developing Mountain States with the Aim of Debt
Write-off and Debt Exchange.” This initiative seeks tobring together developing mountainous states to explore
possibilities for reducing their external debt burden
through debt forgiveness and debt restructuring
mechanisms.
Indeed, the organization of specific groups within the
United Nations to address the challenges faced bydifferent categories of countries has proven effective inpromoting collaboration and finding solutions. The
establishment of groups such as “Small Island Developing
States,” “Landlocked Developing Countries,” and “Least
Developed Countries” has provided a platform for thesecountries to voice their unique concerns and seek
collective solutions to their specific challenges.
Similarly, the organization of a dedicated group for
mountain states could facilitate and promote theresolution of problems specific to mountainous regions.
This group could serve as a platform for sharing
experiences, exchanging best practices and mobilizing
support to address issues related to sustainable mountain
development,poverty
alleviation,
environmental
protection and resilience against natural disasters. By
fostering cooperation and providing a unified voice, sucha group could help advocate for the needs and priorities ofmountain states on the international stage.
In 2011, the International Mountain Conference took
place in Lucerne, Switzerland, and featured various
roundtable discussions. During the conference, there wasstrong support for the proposal to establish a group of
mountain countries at the United Nations to protect theirinterests. The Kyrgyz Republic also highlighted the issue
of external debt faced by mountain states and put forth a
proposal to exchange this debt for sustainable mountain
development.
Importantly, this initiative gained further recognitionat the United Nations Global Summit on Sustainable
Development “Rio+20” in 2012. The proposal to create agroup of mountain states was incorporated into thesummit’s documents, and representatives from several
mountain countries expressed their approval for the ideaof establishing such a group. These developments reflect
the growing recognition and support for addressing theunique challenges and promoting the sustainable
development of mountainous regions on the global arena.

4.2 External Debt and Sustainable Development
The external debt of Kyrgyzstan poses a significant
challenge to the country’s development. Introducing amechanism for exchanging external debt for sustainable
development presents new opportunities for resolving
various issues, including ecological concerns. Thisapproach has been successfully employed by many
developing countries that have entered into agreementswith creditor nations. It has proven effective in reducing
poverty, decreasing debt dependence and attracting
foreign investment.
In line with this, Kyrgyzstan has developed a project
titled “Swap of External Debt of Kyrgyzstan for
Assistance to Afghanistan.” The aim of this project is toredirect a portion of Kyrgyzstan’s multilateral andbilateral debt towards supporting Afghanistan. By doing
so, Kyrgyzstan can alleviate the burden of external debt
and redirect resources towards the country’s economic
development. This can be achieved by supplying foodproducts and construction materials, as well as engaging
Kyrgyz workers in the construction of roads, hospitals andschools, and providing vocational training. This project
not only supports Afghanistan but also benefits
Kyrgyzstan by stimulating economic growth and creating
opportunities for its citizens as well.
Additionally, there is a project for the construction ofa hydroelectric power plant that incorporates a watersupply component aimed at restructuring the multilateralexternal debt. A similar project was successfully
implemented by South Africa and Lesotho with thesupport of the World Bank.
In 2019, Kyrgyzstan took the initiative to create agroup called the “Friends of Mountain Countries” at theUnited Nations. The main objective of this group is tofacilitate problem-solving and promote an agenda forsustainable mountain development. By bringing together
like-minded countries, the group aims to address the
specific challenges faced by mountainous regions andadvocate for their interests at a global scale. This initiativereflects the commitment of Kyrgyzstan and othermountain countries to collaborating and finding effective
solutions for sustainable development in mountainous
areas.

5. Contribution of Kyrgyzstan to the Current
Global Mountain Agenda
On the initiative of President Sadyr Zhaparov of the
Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations declared the year
2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain
Development. This declaration was made during the
Plenary meeting of the 76th session of the United Nations
General Assembly on December 16, 2021.
The Kyrgyz Republic had the opportunity to present
a draft resolution before its consideration. The declaration
was launched to commemorate the 20th anniversary of theGlobal sustainable mountain development

First Bishkek Global Mountain Summit that took place in
2002.
The resolution calls upon Member States, the United
Nations system, other international organizations andstakeholders including civil society, the private sector andacademia, to appropriately celebrate this international year.
The aim is to raise awareness about the importance ofsustainable mountain development and current challenges,
as well as the conservation and sustainable use of
mountain ecosystems.
By designating 2022 as the International Year of
Sustainable Mountain Development, the United Nations
seeks to focus global attention on the unique challenges
and opportunities faced by mountainous regions. It
provides a platform for promoting dialogue, exchanging
best practices and encouraging actions that contribute to
the sustainable development of mountains and thewell-being of mountain communities.
Kyrgyzstan has been actively promoting the interestsof landlocked mountain states on the international stage
for the past three decades. As a testament to the country’s
dedication, three resolutions on sustainable developmentof mountain regions have been adopted at its initiative.
The first resolution, titled “Nature Knows No
Borders,” was adopted at the 75th session of the United
Nations General Assembly on April 16, 2021. The second
resolution, titled “Strengthening Monitoring and Researchof Mountain Glaciers,” was adopted at the 41st session of
the UNESCO General Conference on November 23,
2021.
These resolutions and initiatives demonstrate
Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to addressing the uniquechallenges faced by mountainous regions and its
dedication to promoting sustainable development and thewell-being of mountain communities.
Based on the various global, regional and national
events that have taken place, Kyrgyzstan has proposed a
new United Nations Resolution for adoption. This
resolution aims to support the declaration of 2023–2027
as the “Five Years of Action for the Development ofMountain Regions.” Additionally, a global mountainsummit called “Bishkek+25” is planned to be convened in
2027.
The opening ceremony of the International Year of
Mountains took place on April 28, 2022, at the platformof the Mountain Partnership. The ceremony was attended
by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, heads ofmountain states and heads of international organizations.
It served as a significant gathering to mark the beginningof the International Year and demonstrate the collective
commitment towards sustainable mountain development.
The International Year of Sustainable Mountain
Development and the five-year program for thesustainable development of mountainous regions present aunique opportunity for mountainous states to draw global
attention to the challenges they face. They also call for the79

formulation of integrated state policies in the areas ofsocio-economic and cultural development, nature
conservation and the sustainable use of resources.
It is crucial to shift our focus towards the issues facedby mountainous regions and change the prevailing
perception of their challenges. There is a need to create
favorable conditions for the development andimplementation of a comprehensive policy for thesustainable development of mountainous territories. This
policy should encompass economic partnerships, social
well-being and recognition of the global environmental
significance of mountains.
Kyrgyzstan strongly relies on the attention, support
and assistance of the international community, the United
Nations and global financial institutions in addressing theecosystem challenges faced by mountainous countries andregions, particularly those without access to the sea.
Therefore, we believe it is vital and time-sensitive toestablish a dedicated global fund within the United
Nations. This fund would provide support to mountainous
countries and regions in implementing targeted programs
aimed at achieving sustainable development andfacilitating climate change mitigation and adaptation.
As part of the Five-year Program on Sustainable
Development of Mountain Regions and in preparation for
the Bishkek+25 Global Summit, there are several key
initiatives:- Reorganizing the activities of the Council of Patrons ofMountain Countries: The Council of Patrons will playa crucial role in advocating for the interests ofmountainous regions and providing guidance onsustainable development strategies.
- Holding global and regional intergovernmental
meetings: These meetings will serve as platforms forpolicymakers to make important political decisions
regarding the sustainable development of mountainous
regions. The involvement of governments from aroundthe world will ensure comprehensive and collaborative
efforts.
- Promoting mountain agendas, research topics andinformation exchange: At the global, regional, andnational levels, we will actively promote theimportance of mountain topics and facilitate thecollection and exchange of information. This will
foster greater awareness, knowledge sharing, andcollaboration among stakeholders.
- Close cooperation with Japan: We are eager tocollaborate closely with colleagues from Japan todevelop projects and conduct research on thesustainable development of mountainous regions inboth Kyrgyzstan and Japan. This partnership will
facilitate the sharing of expertise, best practices andinnovative solutions.

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6. Conclusion
In conclusion, it bears to highlighting that managing
and sustainably utilizing the resources in mountainous
areas is crucial for the well-being of both local
communities and the global environment. It is essential totake into account the environmental impact of resource
extraction and find ways to minimize negative effects,
while also promoting conservation and preservation offragile mountain ecosystems. Additionally, considering
the social and economic aspects is vital to ensuring that
local communities benefit from their resources in a fairand equitable manner, fostering sustainable livelihoods
and promoting social well-being. By striking a balance
and involving all stakeholders, including local
communities, governments and organizations, we cancreate a sustainable approach that protects mountainecosystems while harnessing their resources for the
benefit of present and future generations.
The Global Mountain Agenda will continue to play a
critical role in addressing the unique challenges faced by
mountainous countries and regions worldwide andpromoting sustainable development in these areas. It
provides a framework for coordinated action, knowledge
exchange and policy development, enabling us to tackle
the complex issues of mountainous regions more
effectively.
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Asylbek AIDARALIEVAsylbek Aidaraliev holds a Doctorate in Medical
Sciences and the title of professor. He is anacademician at the National Academy of
Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. Additionally,
he serves as advisor to the chairman of the
Cabinet of Ministers and head of administrationof the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the title of Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic. As founder of theInternational University of Kyrgystan, he currently serves as chairman ofthat university’s board of trustees. Over the years, he has dedicated his
efforts to promoting the Mountain Agenda, both nationally and globally.
He played a key role in organizing the Bishkek Global Mountain Summit
in 2002 and facilitated the adoption of several UN resolutions on the
Mountain Agenda. Notably, he has served as advisor and special
representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on sustainable
development of mountain regions. In addition to his diplomatic andadministrative roles, he has authored several monographs and publications.

Maksatbek ANARBAEV
Maksatbek Anarbaev holds a Doctorate in
Natural Sciences from the Free University of
Berlin and the title of professor at theInternational University of Kyrgystan. For many
years, he worked at the National Center for
Mountain Regions Development of the Kyrgyz
Republic, where he has made significant contributions to the developmentof the Strategy and Action Plan for Sustainable Land Management in theHigh Pamirs and Pamir-Altai. Currently, he is involved in research projects
focusing on the sustainable use of natural resources, local livelihoods,
pastoralism and wildlife conservation issues. Additionally, he serves as anational expert on the Sustainable Mountain Development Program within
the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS)
project of the GEF, UNEP and UNDP in Kyrgystan.

Cholpon DZHUMAGULOV
Cholpon Dzhumagulov is a researcher at theInternational Institute of Mountains, and works
as a leading specialist in the Project
Implementation Department. He has extensive
experience in conducting field surveys andenvironmental monitoring, mountain ecotourism
development and food security, and actively participates in research
projects aimed at developing innovative technologies and management
strategies for sustainable development of mountain regions. He is currently
working on his PhD dissertation on the topic of “Current challenges andperspectives for sustainable mountain development under conditions ofclimate change in Kyrgyzstan.”(Received 15 May 2023, Accepted 11 October 2023)