The multilateral workshop on review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the issue of updating the National Biodiversity Strategy was held the previous day in Dushanbe. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the key provisions of the GBF and identify national priorities in the field of biodiversity conservation, taking into account the current social and economic context.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Zarafo Kiyomzoda, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (CEP RT), Mr. Rustam Latifzoda, Head of the Committee on Agrarian Issues, Water and Land Resources of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Vladimir Lekarkin, Programme Analyst of Climate Change, DRR & Environment Cluster of UNDP in Tajikistan. In addition, the participants included representatives of responsible government ministries and agencies, academic institutions and public organizations from among heads, deputies, experts and specialists.

The multi-stakeholder dialogue is organized within the actions of the Global GBF Early Action Support Project (GBF-EAS), implemented by UNDP in Tajikistan with financial support from the Global Environment Facility and in cooperation with the National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center of the CEP RT.

In the opening remarks, Ms. Kiyomzoda thanked UNDP in Tajikistan for its continued cooperation and support to initiatives aimed at nature conservation and especially biodiversity conservation in the country. She also noted that the earlier developed national Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan had contributed to strengthening mechanisms and expanding practical actions to restore and support disturbed ecosystems and protect vulnerable species.

During the discussions, experts and conservationists noted the need to develop additional measures that could increase the sustainability of ongoing biodiversity conservation initiatives. In terms of priority areas, experts emphasized the need to develop integrated programs for sustainable use of ecosystem services and restoration of degraded areas, especially pastures, forests and coastal areas.

Mr. Lekarkin, during his speech stressed the importance of Tajikistan's participation in the implementation of the GBF-EAS project, which, according to him, contributes to harmonization of national priorities in the field of biodiversity conservation with global goals. In this context, he noted the need for multilateral participation in the process of consideration and updating of existing national objectives in the field of protection of biological wealth of the country.

As a result of the meeting and discussions, a number of recommendations and proposals were developed, which will be considered and taken into account in the process of updating national goals and objectives on biodiversity conservation.

Recall that in December 2022, the International Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Montreal, Canada, adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), an international document that serves as a global guideline for expanding and strengthening measures to protect biodiversity and restore damaged ecosystems. Each country party to the Convention, as part of its commitment, is required to review and update national biodiversity targets in line with the goals and objectives of the GBF, taking into account national contexts and priorities.

Tajikistan, in its turn, also fulfilling its obligations under the Convention and in accordance with national priorities in the field of nature conservation and its biological resources, is updating the National Strategy and Action Plan on biodiversity conservation.