UNESCO hosted regional capacity-building workshop for natural World Heritage in Central Asia and Mongolia in Almaty

A significant part of the discussion focused on transboundary conservation and management. Participants examined conservation principles and governance through case studies of the serial transnational World Heritage properties represented at the workshop, as well as other examples from Asia such as Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Hin Nam No National Parks (Lao PDR/Viet Nam). Lessons learned from the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) highlighted the importance of connecting people, including site managers, and building relationship and trust as the foundation of regional cooperation and conservation across borders.

Experts from ICCROM and IUCN addressed how to assess impacts on Outstanding Universal Value, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), assessing cumulative impacts through Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) and the transboundary dimensions of regional impact assessments. The new GEF8 EcoLand joint IUCN-UNDP project on “Integrated Conservation Management and Restoration of High-Value Landscapes in Uzbekistan” was presented, together with opportunities through UNESCO’s Natural Sciences programmes and the outcomes of UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia. An interactive exercise mapped networks and potential synergies, and the workshop concluded with reflections, feedback and a discussion of strategic next steps.

Representatives of each State Party shared their reflections on the workshop and highlighted potential follow-up activities, including strengthening operational capacities (e.g. harmonization of Tentative Lists, SEAs and resource mobilization) and further exploring thematic areas such as sustainable tourism, invasive species and climate change, through knowledge-sharing and exchange, as well as the development of a common communication platform. Building on the rich discussions during the workshop and with the support of the UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust project, UNESCO and IUCN will continue to engage with national authorities and site managers across the region to support their ongoing efforts to safeguard the natural heritage located in the heart of Eurasia and further strengthen transnational cooperation.

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