WWF has outlined new environmental priorities. In Astana, WWF presented its Central Asia Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, covering biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and strengthening resilience to climate change, DKNews.kz reports.
The strategy was presented during a meeting between Daniyar Turgambayev, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Committee for Forestry and Wildlife, and a WWF delegation led by Jean-Paul Paddack, WWF Regional Director for Asia-Pacific. The meeting also introduced Ramaz Gokhelashvili as the new Director of WWF Central Asia.
WWF sets its priorities through 2030
The new strategy brings together several key areas: biodiversity conservation, restoration and connectivity of natural ecosystems, climate resilience, and the development of long-term conservation partnerships.
For Kazakhstan, this means continuing its established cooperation with WWF while expanding the scale of conservation efforts. The focus is shifting from individual species and protected areas toward entire natural landscapes.
From mountain landscapes and steppes to tugai forests, rivers and wetlands, ecosystems are being treated as a central part of protecting rare and threatened species.
Predators, ungulates, birds and fish come into focus
One of the core principles of WWF’s strategy is to work at the scale at which nature itself functions.
The organization plans to prioritize the protection and restoration of habitats for rare and endangered predators, ungulates, birds and fish.
This approach links the protection of individual species with the health of the wider ecosystem. If migration routes, rivers, forests or steppe habitats are disrupted, protecting a single species alone is not enough.
“Our goal is to work at the scale at which nature itself functions: to conserve and restore natural landscapes and maintain the connectivity of key habitats,” said Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Director of WWF Central Asia.
Kazakhstan named a key conservation partner for WWF
The meeting also focused on the further development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and WWF. Key areas include ecosystem restoration, the conservation of rare species, and the involvement of local communities in conservation efforts.
“Kazakhstan is an important conservation partner for WWF, and our cooperation here demonstrates what can be achieved through long-term commitment and shared ambitious goals,” said Jean-Paul Paddack, WWF Regional Director for Asia-Pacific.
He also emphasized support for local communities, ecosystem restoration and the protection of rare species whose condition affects the resilience of entire natural landscapes.
Conservation will be linked to rural development
The strategy also includes a social dimension.
WWF plans to involve local communities in conservation efforts, support sustainable development in rural areas and strengthen environmental awareness.
This approach is particularly relevant in regions where people’s livelihoods depend directly on rivers, pastures, forests and other natural resources.
Gokhelashvili said conservation efforts should bring together government agencies, the scientific community, civil society, local communities and other partners around shared priorities and measurable results.
Kazakhstan and WWF consider new joint initiatives
Following the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their interest in further developing their long-standing cooperation.
Future areas of work include strengthening scientific and technical cooperation and exploring new joint initiatives aimed at protecting priority species, ecosystems and natural landscapes.
The source material does not specify the names of new projects, their funding volumes or launch dates.
