Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have entered into an agreement to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against illegal trade in wild species.
As reported by Uzbek media, the Samarkand Declaration and accompanying Action Plan for 2026-2032 were signed as part of the High-Level Dialogue on the sidelines of the 20th CITES Conference of the Parties.
Documents developed jointly with Traffic International, reflect the shared commitment of nations to address growing threats to biodiversity. These include poaching, habitat loss and the effects of climate change. The action plan calls for strengthening collaboration between customs, environmental, law enforcement and judicial authorities in all four countries.
National task forces will be established to combat wildlife crime, and intelligence sharing will be strengthened. To increase the effectiveness of cooperation, the parties agreed to create a regional network to combat illegal trade. Measures include the development of joint control mechanisms and the implementation of coordinated actions in border areas.
The regional strategy also covers issues of ecosystem restoration, protection of rare species and support for sustainable economic solutions. These include the development of ecotourism and the involvement of local communities in environmental initiatives.
The signing of the declaration underscores the commitment of the Central Asian countries to joint actions aimed at preserving the unique natural heritage of the region.