Kyrgyzstan Holds Side Event on “Sustainable Mountain Development” at EXPO 2025 in Osaka

On October 3, 2025, in Osaka, Japan, as part of the World EXPO 2025, a side event titled “Sustainable Mountain Development” was held, organized by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the University of Central Asia (UCA).

The event opened with a welcoming address by Dinara Kemelova, Special Envoy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the implementation of the Decade of Action for Mountain Development. She emphasized that mountain ecosystems provide the planet with water, food, biodiversity, and cultural wealth. Over a hundred countries have mountainous territories, including Kyrgyzstan and Japan, highlighting the shared responsibility for sustainable mountain development and experience exchange.

Yutaka Matsuzawa, Senior Advisor to the Japanese Minister of the Environment, also delivered a greeting, noting the relevance of mountain issues and Kyrgyzstan’s contribution to advancing the global mountain agenda. The event was moderated by Takaru Ueda, Senior Advisor at JICA, who stressed the importance of private sector and academic participation in developing sustainable solutions for mountain regions.

During the session, Professor Kenji Tanaka from Kyoto University presented the results of long-term research on Kyrgyz glaciers, particularly the Karabatkak and Grigoryev glaciers. He noted that glacier melt remains a critical component of Central Asia’s water resources, especially in dry years, and emphasized the need to strengthen international scientific cooperation in cryosphere research.

Kana Furusawa, Secretary-General of the Japanese Geoparks Network, shared Japan’s experience in developing geoparks as platforms that integrate nature conservation, education, local development, and sustainable tourism. She highlighted that the geopark concept promotes environmental awareness, engages youth and women, and creates new opportunities for local communities. Furusawa particularly emphasized the role of geoparks in enhancing resilience to climate risks and preserving the cultural heritage of mountain regions.

Deo Raj Gurung, Senior Advisor at the University of Central Asia, spoke about the university’s activities in sustainable mountain development, improving climate resilience, and supporting mountain communities through education and scientific research.

The event also featured an exhibition of mountain products from Kyrgyzstan, organized with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The exhibition showcased natural products from the country’s mountain regions, including dried fruits, herbal teas, walnuts, oils, as well as Kyrgyz merino wool products under the KYRINO brand and the famous At-Bashi white mountain honey. The exhibition drew significant interest from EXPO participants and highlighted the potential of Kyrgyz mountain communities in developing environmentally friendly production and artisanal businesses.

The side event represented a significant contribution by the Kyrgyz Republic to advancing the global mountain agenda and strengthening partnerships among government agencies, research institutions, international organizations, and local communities in support of sustainable mountain development and the well-being of mountain populations.