Kyrgyzstan supports Armenia in creating the Yerevan Platform on Mountain and Freshwater Ecosystems, President Sadyr Japarov said at the COP17 Leaders’ Summit in Yerevan.
“To address global challenges, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation and the concerted efforts of all states. In this regard, the Kyrgyz Republic attaches particular importance to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and continues to take concrete measures toward its implementation.
I would like to reaffirm Kyrgyzstan’s support for Armenia’s initiative to create the Yerevan Platform on Mountain and Freshwater Ecosystems and state that we are ready to actively engage in its work. The Kyrgyz Republic is a mountainous country known for its rich biodiversity,” Japarov said.
During his speech, Japarov also presented Kyrgyzstan’s four proposals within the framework of COP17 and addressed the environmental challenges facing the high-altitude Lake Issyk-Kul—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The lake, however, is under significant climate-related pressure. Over the past 170 years, its water level has dropped by nearly 14 meters, with the rate of decline reaching 7 centimeters over the last five years. Furthermore, due to the melting of glaciers, only about 30 of the 101 rivers that once flowed into the lake remain.
"The loss of Lake Issyk-Kul would not merely be a local tragedy; it would become an irreversible environmental disaster for the entire region. In this regard, I would like to announce that the Kyrgyz Republic is initiating efforts to establish a joint fund—under the auspices of the UN—dedicated to the preservation of Lake Issyk-Kul," he said, adding that Kyrgyzstan is prepared to allocate $10 million to this fund to support the necessary work aimed at preserving the lake.
Yerevan will host COP17 from October 19 to 30, bringing together delegations from countries around the world and representatives of international organizations and civil society to assess progress in biodiversity conservation and discuss further joint action. Armenia holds the COP17 presidency.
