“Nature conservation can contribute to mitigating the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. This important new initiative will strengthen the resilience of Central Asian landscapes, and bring numerous benefits to communities. We will continue to support the governments here to build regional capacity to apply IUCN's tools and standards, including the IUCN Green List, best practices in species management, and the latest advancements in zoonosis research,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.

The risk of zoonotic diseases in Central Asia is exacerbated by biodiversity loss and changes in human-wildlife interactions. As part of the new initiative, IUCN and national and international partners, including all five Central Asian countries, will implement actions to prevent the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. The experts will work to consolidate a fair and effective regional network of protected and conserved areas, strengthen conservation measures and wildlife management for disease risk mitigation, and promote the latest advancements in zoonosis research and technology.  

H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General  Photo: Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan

“Over the past few years, we have observed how the spread of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 can have a global impact. This has resulted in entire countries being demobilized, transportation connections being disrupted, an increase in food security issues, and massive socio-economic consequences,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan.  “We are committed to expanding regional cooperation for sustainable management of protected natural areas, preserving unique biological diversity, and contributing to the environmental balance in the Central Asian region, which will receive a significant boost through this project on One Health in nature conservation,” he added.

Supported by a €11 million contribution from the German Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) via the International Climate Initiative (IKI), this major regional initiative will spearhead the One Health approach in Central Asia over the next six years. The initiative, entitled Enhancing landscape resilience to zoonotic disease emergence by consolidating nature conservation systems in Central Asia, will focus on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to address complex challenges.

“Effective implementation of the One Health approach requires collaboration across all levels, from local to international. We are enthusiastic about supporting this comprehensive and ambitious initiative which promises to yield manifold benefits – including disease control, response and management – for the people, animals, and ecosystems of Central Asia,“ stressed Dr Bettina Hoffmann, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

The CMS COP14 under the banner of “Nature knows no borders”, emphasises the fact that border fences bisect migration routes and prevent animals from moving across landscapes. These, in combination with railways, pipelines, and other infrastructure, reduce ecological connectivity and ecosystem health, Central Asia being one of the most impacted regions.

One Health in nature conservation in Central Asia launch Photo: Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan

"Obstacles to migration reduce the habitat available to migratory species. This phenomenon has been observed across Central Asia with species such as the Saiga, Wild Ass, and even those with relatively small ranges, like the Bukhara Deer. In the diminished and fragmented habitats, migratory species of wild animals often find themselves in contact and competition with livestock for pasture and water which heightens the risk of transmission of disease between these sectors to the detriment of both. Therefore, preserving habitat connectivity not only helps in mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks in wildlife but also reduces the transmission of diseases between wildlife and livestock, and decreases the risk of zoonotic diseases i.e. those affecting humans,” shared Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), one of the international partners of the One Health Central Asia initiative.

Coordinated by IUCN, the One Health Central Asia initiative gathers international partners, including the Michael Succow Foundation, the Secretariat of the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS), UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). They will collaborate closely with national authorities and expert organisations across the region, such as CAMP Alatoo in Kyrgyzstan, the Institute of Zoology of Kazakhstan, the Institute of Zoology of Uzbek Academy of Sciences, and the Tajikistan Nature Foundation (TNF).

ENDS

For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:

Aleksandra Nikodinović, Regional Communications Officer, IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), phone: +381 63 357 407, email: aleksandra.nikodinovic@iucn.org

Notes to editors

One Health

Disease risks are a growing threat to human health and species survival. Changes in ecosystems and contact with wildlife and other animals are driving risks. A One Health approach is essential to help identify and reduce sources of risk to prevent disease more proactively; conservation authorities have a key role to play. The Guidelines for Prevention, Detection, Response, and Recovery from Disease Risks provide practical guidance for governments and site managers.

One Health: Reducing Disease Risk – IUCN Policy Brief

https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/one-health-reducing-disease-risk-november-2022.pdf

About IUCN

It International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources, and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 15,000 experts. This diversity and vast expertise make IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

The IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO) was established in 2015 to support the IUCN constituency and implement the IUCN Programme in most countries of the IUCN Statutory Region East Europe, North and Central Asia. To contribute to a more sustainable future for this region, IUCN ECARO focuses its work on good governance, the long-term protection of biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources. The office is based in Belgrade, Serbia, and was initially established as the IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe (IUCN SEE) in 2004. www.iucn.org https://twitter.com/IUCN/ https://twitter.com/IUCN_ECARO

About the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty of the United Nations that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic, and avian migratory animals and their habitats. https://www.cms.int/

About IKI

The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is one of the key instruments of the German Federal Government to support international climate action and biodiversity. The IKI supports solution strategies in developing and emerging countries that seek to achieve sustainable change. https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en