Kazakhstan Adopts New Biodiversity Strategy Through 2035

The government of Kazakhstan has approved a new national strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. This key policy document sets the country's environmental agenda for the coming decade, focusing on ecosystem restoration and the rational use of natural resources.

The strategy is designed to fulfill Kazakhstan's commitments under international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the global Kunming-Montreal biodiversity framework. It represents a shift from reactive environmental measures to proactive management aimed at ensuring a net gain in natural capital.

The plan outlines eight priority areas with thirteen specific targets. A central goal is the expansion of the country's network of specially protected natural areas, aiming to increase their total area from 31 million hectares to 33.2 million hectares by 2035.

Another major focus is forest conservation and sustainable management. The strategy aims to increase forested land from the current 13.9 million hectares to 14.7 million hectares. It also calls for a significant boost in domestic wood processing, targeting a fivefold increase in output from the timber industry by 2035.

Other strategic directions include improving wildlife protection—especially for endangered species—enhancing fisheries management, addressing pasture degradation, and strengthening plant conservation efforts. The plan emphasizes building a comprehensive national biodiversity monitoring and data system as its foundational element.

Experts note that the adoption of this unified strategy will help coordinate efforts across government agencies, scientific institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. The document is seen as reinforcing Kazakhstan's regional leadership in nature conservation and creating a platform for new partnerships focused on building a sustainable future.