Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia

Kazakhstan has proposed a regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative to combat desertification and dust storms, positioning it as a long-term ecological strategy rather than a one-off tree-planting campaign, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026.

Desertification is accelerating across the region. According to Uzbek officials, around 9 square metres of land turn into desert every minute in Central Asia.

The proposal was presented during a panel session focused on creating a network of protective forest belts across Central Asia to address land degradation intensified by climate change.

Participants, including representatives from Central Asian countries, China and international organisations, endorsed the initiative and signed a resolution on the Green Shield of Central Asia. 

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev said the initiative builds on the country’s experience in large-scale reforestation projects under harsh climatic conditions.

“This result confirms that even in areas previously unsuitable for forestry, ecosystem restoration is possible when relying on science, long-term planning, and the professional work of foresters,” Nyssanbayev said, referring to the forest belt around the capital that has expanded to 102,000 hectares since 1997.

One of the region’s most acute environmental challenges remains the shrinking Aral Sea, where millions of hectares of exposed seabed contribute to toxic dust storms. Kazakhstan has carried out large-scale planting of saxaul and other salt-resistant species on the dried seabed in recent years.

“To date, saxaul plantations and other salt-resistant species have been established on an area of more than 1.1 million hectares. This is not only a national project. It is a contribution to reducing transboundary dust storms, stabilising the regional ecological situation, and improving living conditions for the population of neighbouring countries,” Nyssanbayev said.

Kazakhstan’s proposal envisions a coordinated regional system, with each country identifying priority areas for forest belts that together would form a unified ecological barrier.

“Together with colleagues from Central Asia, significant preparatory work has already been carried out: a draft resolution has been prepared and sites for creating forest plantations have been identified,” Nyssanbayev said.

He added that the plan would include measurable targets, implementation stages and monitoring mechanisms, linking it to broader sustainable development goals.

“Each country determines its own priority areas. Together, they form a unified regional system of green barriers capable of changing the ecological dynamics of Central Asia,” he said.