Kyrgyzstan presents mountain agenda at climate summit in Istanbul

Kyrgyzstan brought the concerns of mountain regions to an international climate finance summit in Istanbul, warning of the risks posed by melting glaciers and growing natural disasters in mountainous areas.

Dinara Kemelova, the Kyrgyz president’s special representative for the mountain agenda, led the delegation. She also chairs the Mountain Group under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Speaking during discussions, Kemelova called for more climate finance for developing countries, especially funding for adaptation and for strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable regions.

She highlighted the effects of glacier melt and the rising risks facing mountain communities. Referring to recent floods in mountainous areas of Nepal and China, Kemelova urged the international community to take urgent measures to protect mountain territories.

Kyrgyzstan identified early-warning systems, wider access to international climate finance and the possibility of exchanging public debt for investment in green projects as key priorities. It also presented an initiative to establish a Global Center for Climate Resilience of Mountain Regions in Bishkek.

During the summit, Kemelova held talks with representatives of Turkey, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil and France, as well as international organizations and financial institutions. The discussions covered cooperation on mountain issues, preparations for the Bishkek+25 Global Mountain Summit and financing for climate projects in Kyrgyzstan.

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We need to increase climate finance for developing countries, especially for adaptation to climate change and strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable regions.