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Background:
The event takes place in the context of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, during the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027), as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly. It aims to raise global awareness of the critical importance of mountains and mountain ecosystems for the sustainable future of the planet.
Mountains provide essential services such as fresh water, biodiversity, cultural heritage, climate regulation, and livelihoods for millions of people, including some of the most vulnerable communities. At the same time, mountain regions face negative impact of climate change, glacier melting, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic challenges etc.
This side event will:
• Mobilize international partnerships to support sustainable mountain development;
• Provide a platform for stakeholders to share innovative practices and amplify the global visibility of mountain issues.
Key message:
Mountain ecosystems provide people and the planet with essential goods and services such as water, food and biodiversity. Home to about 1.1 billion people, the mountains are also centres of cultural diversity and traditional knowledge. However, biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, pollution and other impacts are severely and increasingly affecting mountain livelihoods and ecosystems. Mountain communities are highly dependent on small-scale and family-based agriculture. Mountain regions are facing multiple and significant economic challenges. However, at the same time they can provide economic opportunities for the benefit of their own communities, especially in the field of sustainable tourism and organic production. Despite their vulnerabilities, mountains represent key ecosystems that can reduce a range of climate change risks and provide multiple co-benefits through the implementation of adaptation and resilience measures.
Theme:
Sustainable Mountain Development
Main discussion topics:
• The impact of climate change on mountain regions and disaster risk reduction;
• The state of glaciers and the cryosphere in the context of the International Year of Glacier Preservation (2025);
• Conservation of mountain ecosystems and biodiversity;
• Supporting mountain communities through diversified income sources and improved access to healthcare, education, energy, internet, and fresh water;
• Promoting sustainable mountain development through mountain products, geoparks, and ecotourism;
• Tackling degradation of mountain pastures and forests for climate resilience and livelihoods;
• Elevating mountain initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic on the global arena.

18.00-18.15
Opening remarks
Moderator: Mr. Ueda Takafumi, Senior Advisor on Private Sector Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• Mrs. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on mountain agenda
• Mr. Yutaka Matsuzawa, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Environment of Japan (online)

18.15-18.35 Ms. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on mountain agenda Keynote presentation
Sustainable mountain development and Five years of action for development of mountain regions

18.35-18.50 Professor Kenji Tanaka, Disaster prevention research institute, Japan Presentation
The importance of the glacier melting component in summer season

18.50-19.05 Ms. Kana Furusawa, Japanese geoparks network, Japan Presentation
Geoparks and sustainable mountain development

19.05-19.20 Mr. Deo Raj Gurung, Senior Advisor - Climate Resilience and Mountain Science, University of Central Asia, Kyrgyz Republic Speech
19.20-19.50 Q&A Session
19.50-20.00 Closing summary -Moderator

【Reflection】

The side event “Sustainable Mountain Development” organised by the Kyrgyz Republic during SDGs + Beyond: Future Society for Life Week at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, placed mountains at the centre of global sustainability discussions. Moderated by Mr. Takafumi Ueda (JICA), the session brought together key voices including Mrs. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on the mountain agenda, Mr. Yutaka Matsuzawa, Senior Advisor to Japan’s Minister of the Environment, and several international experts and researchers.

Mrs. Kemelova emphasised that mountain ecosystems are vital for humanity, providing fresh water, biodiversity, and cultural heritage for more than a billion people. She outlined Kyrgyzstan’s leadership role in promoting the “Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027)” declared by the UN General Assembly, and its national roadmap integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into policies for mountain communities. Her keynote drew attention to the country’s efforts in biodiversity preservation, glacier protection, and empowering women and youth as agents of mountain sustainability.

Mr. Matsuzawa, speaking online, underlined Japan’s cooperation through the Satoyama Initiative, national park management, and climate adaptation platforms. He also introduced the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between Japan and Kyrgyzstan to promote decarbonisation and climate resilience in schools and public facilities.

Together, the speakers affirmed that protecting mountain ecosystems is essential not only for the environment but also for the livelihoods and cultures of mountain peoples. The session embodied Expo 2025’s spirit of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” demonstrating how international partnerships can transform vulnerability into resilience and action.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】

Following Expo 2025, the Kyrgyz Republic will continue implementing its Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions, with a focus on translating dialogue into concrete outcomes. Initiatives include the organisation of the Second Global Mountain Summit in 2027, the advancement of a global framework for mountain policies, and strengthened monitoring of glaciers and biodiversity under UNESCO and UN frameworks.

Collaboration with Japan will deepen through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and the Satoyama Initiative, promoting clean technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable land management in mountain areas. Educational and research partnerships with institutions such as the University of Central Asia and Japanese universities will enhance scientific exchange and innovation in climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration.

Domestically, Kyrgyzstan will scale up its National Roadmap for Sustainable Mountain Development, focusing on rural infrastructure, access to education and healthcare, women’s empowerment, and the promotion of sustainable mountain products and ecotourism.

Through these initiatives, Kyrgyzstan aims to solidify its position as a global advocate for mountain sustainability, transforming Expo 2025’s platform into lasting international cooperation that safeguards the natural and cultural heritage of the world’s mountain regions.