Kazakhstan to create biodiversity fundKazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to create an International Biodiversity Fund, the presidential press service said in a Friday press release.When speaking at the international conference titled “Central Asia Facing Global Climate Threats" in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Tokayev addressed problems of biodiversity and the preservation of unique and endangered species native to Central Asia."The head of state announced his decision to establish an International Biodiversity Fund in Kazakhstan," the press release says."I am convinced that global efforts toward a green transition offer us a unique chance for a better, cleaner, safer and more prosperous world. In order to achieve this, we must secure both public and private financing for climate goals on a meaningful scale. This will help mitigate risks, invest in green energy, and build a profitable, sustainable economy," Tokayev said.Failure to act, he warned, would jeopardize the path to carbon neutrality. "To prevent this, we must redouble our efforts, strengthen and expand our partnership. No single country can undertake such a long and complex journey alone," the president said.Central Asia is among the regions that are most vulnerable to climate change, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. Glaciers are retreating, deserts are expanding and water shortages are intensifying, according to Tokayev."This situation urges the need for coordinated action among all regional states. Our climate policies must be harmonized with the national strategies while fostering synergy for sustainable development. We must find the right balance between economic growth and climate action," the Kazakh president said.As part of these efforts, he announced a nationwide tree-planting initiative, alongside a forest conservation program and the Clean Kazakhstan campaign, aimed at increasing the environmental awareness in younger generations. Additionally, Kazakhstan is collaborating with Uzbekistan on a project to green the dried bed of the Aral Sea. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX