Enhancing landscape resilience to zoonotic disease emergence by consolidating nature conservation systems in Central Asia

Zoonoses as Covid-19 threaten human health globally. The project prevents zoonotic diseases by expanding and improving natural areas and landscapes. It aims to address the relevant causes of epidemic risk and consolidate a fair and effective regional network of protected and conserved areas. The project includes three core components, focusing on: area-based conservation, species management and human and environmental health through good governance. Moreover, activities on disease monitoring, communications and knowledge sharing and environmental and health policy will enhance use of research and technology for zoonotic diseases prevention, and improve awareness raising and national policy. The project will involve institutions, government and non-government organisations, specialist groups, communities including marginalized and most vulnerable groups to climate change and disease outbreaks. The project will have measurable and specific impacts in the five target countries.

Project data

Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
IKI funding: 314,411.00 €
Duration: 07/2022 till 06/2023
Status: open
Implementing organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO)
Political Partner: Committee of Environmental Protection of the Republic – Tajikistan

Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection - Turkmenistan

Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Nature Protection – Kazakhstan

Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision – Kyrgyzstan

State Committee for Ecology and Environment Protection - Uzbekistan
Implementing Partner: Association of Nature Conservation Organizations of Tajikistan (ANCOT)

CAMP Alatoo - Kyrgyzstan

Institute of Zoology of Kazakhstan

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO)

Michael-Succow-Foundation / Michael Succow Stiftung

Secretariat of Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) - Deutschland

UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)

Zoological Society of London (ZSL) - United Kingdom

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State of implementation/results

The preparation phase of the project includes the following topics :
- conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify all key stakeholders, including marginalised and vulnerable groups, and develop a comprehensive engagement and inclusion plan for the project activities.
- collect knowledge on wildlife zoonotic diseases and patterns of human-wildlife interactions, on trends and emergence of zoonotic diseases, on the existing system of protected areas as well as on target species and their habitat preferences. This information will be used to select project sites.
- build awareness on the role of governance and equity, and identify the key rights holders in area-based conservation.
After the preparation phase, a decision is made on further funding by the International Climate Initiative.

Latest Update:
04/2023