On May 25, 2026, a presentation of the results of the completed project "Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Mountain Areas" (GCP/GLO/052/ITA), implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with support from the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, was held in Bishkek at the Orion Hotel.

The project was implemented with financial support from the Government of Italy, with a total budget of EUR 940,000, and covered five countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, and Pakistan. Its goal was to support governments in developing practical policies and measures aimed at protecting vulnerable mountain communities, strengthening their economic growth, and reducing the negative effects of climate change.

Representatives from all five participating countries took part in the presentation, sharing the final results of the work carried out in their respective countries. The organization CESVI, together with FAO and Rome's Sapienza University, presented findings on the vulnerability assessment of Afghanistan's mountain areas in particular, training sessions on geospatial technologies (QGIS, Google Earth Engine) conducted for lecturers and students at Kabul University, as well as household field surveys in 5 mountain communities in the Karabagh district of Kabul province. Kyrgyzstan's representative, Alimbekova, presented the results of a climate and socio-economic study in the At-Bashi district of Naryn region, which covered 5 rural municipalities (ayil aimaks) and 19 villages, including mapping of water bodies, pastures, and agricultural land. The team from Montenegro's state enterprise for national parks (authors: Maša Vučinić, Jovana Bojičić, and others) shared their experience assessing tourist carrying capacity in Durmitor National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with recommendations developed for sustainable management of tourist flows. Pakistan's representatives delivered two presentations: one on the vulnerability assessment of mountain communities in the Sherani district of Balochistan province, focusing on high-mountain ecosystems above 1,800 meters, and another on Sudhnati district in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, analyzing climate variability, water scarcity, and local community livelihoods.

A separate presentation focused on the role of preventive measures and disaster response preparedness within the framework of Kyrgyzstan's Five-Year Plan for Mountain Region Development. Almabek Aidakeev, Head of the Secretariat of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Platform of the Kyrgyz Republic, presented data on the dynamics of emergency situations from 2000–2024 and the priorities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in protecting mountain populations.

Over the course of the project, 22 national organizations were engaged, and the capacity-building program on vulnerability assessment reached 73 participants. A number of partner institutions expressed interest in scaling up the methodologies applied.

The presentation served as an important platform for exchanging experience among government institutions, research organizations, and international agencies in the interest of sustainable development of mountain regions and the well-being of local communities.