International scientific and practical conference

AL-FARABI KAZAKH NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

International scientific and practical conference

CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

Dear colleagues!

Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University will hold an international scientific and practical conference “Challenges and prospects for biodiversity Conservation in Central Asia” on November 6–8, 2025.

At the IV National Kurultai held on March 14, 2025, in Burabay, the Head of State emphasized the urgent need to protect the biodiversity of flora and fauna, which is now endangered by destructive human activities. It was highlighted that preserving natural

ecosystems is not only an environmental issue, but also a strategic task for the sustainable development of the country. The destruction of habitats of rare species, environmental pollution, climate change, and the overexploitation of natural resources threaten the unique natural heritage of Kazakhstan and all of Central Asia.

In this context, we invite the scientific community to support this initiative, take an active part in developing effective measures for the conservation of natural ecosystems, and propose scientifically grounded solutions for the protection of biodiversity. The significance of these challenges is closely related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 “Climate Action,” SDG 14 “Life Below Water,” and SDG 15 “Life on Land.”

Conference Aim: To exchange knowledge and share the latest achievements regarding biodiversity in Central Asia, the conservation of the Sievers apple tree (Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M.Roem.), environmental protection, ecotourism, and education.

Co-organizers: National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), Kazakhstan National Committee for the UNESCO programme “Man and Biosphere” (MAB), RSE “Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction”, JSC “Institute of Zoology Pepublic of Kazakhstan”, JSC “Institute of Geography and Water Security”, RSI “Almaty State Nature Reserve”, NP JSC “Kazakh National Agrarian Research University”, RSE “Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology”, RSE “Ile-Alatau National Nature Park”, Almaty Tourism bureau, РА “Jerdin Dostary”.

The main areas of the conference:

• Biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Central Asia
• The role of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) in biodiversity conservation
• Ecotourism as a tool for preserving natural heritage
• Environmental education and awareness as a tool for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Application of GIS and digital technologies in monitoring biodiversity

Working languages: Kazakh, Russian, English

KEY SPEAKERS

Tuimebayev Zhanseit (Kazakhstan)

Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor, Chairman of the Board – Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Aktymbaeyva Aliya (Kazakhstan)

Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Yashchenko Roman Vasilievich (Kazakhstan) Doctor of Biological Sciences, General Director of the RSE on REM “Institute of Zoology” under the Committee of Science, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairperson of the Kazakhstan National Committee for the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, Member of the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ISESCO, President of the Scientific Society “Tethys”

Obrillant Damus (Canada) Associate Professor, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada

Matthias Kramer (Germany) CEO of the German scientific and educational institution NetSCI Matthias Kramer

Taukhenov Talgat Raimkanovich (Kazakhstan) Expert of the UNDP Project on Spatial Planning for Biodiversity Conservation

Guliyev Alovsat Gulush oglu (Azerbaijan) Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, General Director, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku

Mustafayev Mustafa Gylman oglu (Azerbaijan) Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Head of the Laboratory of Soil Reclamation, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RAE), Honorary Doctor of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy (BSAA), Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijan

Kadyrova Bubuaim Kadyrovna (Kyrgyzstan) Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology and Human and Animal Physiology of the Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, Kyrgyzstan.

Yusifova Makhluga (Azerbaijan) Candidate of Biological Sciences (PhD), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Geographical Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science, Baku State University, Azerbaijan

Sharshieva Baken Keneshbekovna (Kyrgyzstan) Candidate of Biological Sciences and an Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology and Human and Animal Physiology of the Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, Kyrgyzstan.

Khodzhiboev Dalerzhon (Tajikistan) Candidate of Technical Sciences (PhD), Head of the Department of Ecology, Mining-Metallurgical Institute of Tajikistan. Member of the Advisory Council of the Central Asian Institute for Environmental Initiatives (CAIER)

Ismukhanova Laura Tynyshtykbaevna (Kazakhstan) PhD, Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Hydrochemistry and Ecotoxicology, JSC “Institute of Geography and Water Security”