Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 23 June 2026 – Last week, the University of Central Asia (UCA) convened more than 200 researchers, policymakers, development practitioners and international partners to examine how climate change is affecting the health, livelihoods and well-being of mountain communities across Central Asia, at its first International Conference on Mountains, Climate and Health in Central Asia.

Central Asia is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Mountain areas are warming faster than the global average, with rapid glacier retreat, shifting precipitation patterns and more frequent extreme weather events already affecting public health, food security, water resources, livelihoods and infrastructure across the region.

Opening the two-day conference on 18 June, UCA Rector Professor Christopher J Gerry highlighted a central theme: the need to understand climate change not only as an environmental phenomenon, but as a human challenge with wide-ranging impacts on health, livelihoods, food systems, economic opportunity and community resilience.

In his remarks, Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan highlighted the importance of investing in knowledge, partnerships and human capacity to support the resilience and sustainable development of mountain societies.

“These challenges cannot be addressed by any one institution, or any one country, acting alone,” he noted. “Health systems, ecosystems and livelihoods – just as with rivers and glaciers – do not stop neatly at national borders. In mountain regions, cooperation is a practical necessity. The work ahead will demand stronger institutions, better data, deeper cooperation and investment in young people.” Read the full speech

Opening addresses were also delivered by Almaz Musaev, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Nurlan Kurmalayev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Speakers included senior government officials, representatives of international organisations, leading researchers and development partners. Among them was Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for the World Bank Group's Planet Vice Presidency, reflecting growing regional and international attention to the challenges facing mountain communities.

Participants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Germany, the United States, France, Norway, Canada, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland explored how changing mountain systems are increasingly shaping the everyday lives and well-being of the people who depend upon them.

Particular emphasis was placed on mountain-specific challenges that are often overlooked in global climate and health discussions. While mountain regions experience some of the earliest and most severe impacts of climate change, they remain underrepresented in research, policy frameworks and financing mechanisms. The conference also showcased emerging research on glacier dynamics, water security, air quality, food systems, human health, climate-induced vulnerabilities, and innovative approaches to climate-health data and decision-making.

The conference reflected UCA's growing role as a regional centre for research, policy engagement and knowledge exchange on the opportunities and challenges facing mountain societies. Through its research institutes, academic programmes and partnerships, the University is increasingly contributing evidence and expertise to support decision-making on climate resilience and sustainable development across Central Asia.

As preparations begin for the Bishkek+25 Global Mountain Summit in 2027, the conference underscored the importance of strengthening the connections between research, policy and practice. Participants highlighted the need for greater collaboration, investment and evidence-informed action to protect the health, resilience and prosperity of mountain communities across Central Asia. Through its programmes and community engagement, UCA will continue to support research and regional partnerships to advance that goal.