The Ustyurt Plateau in the west of both countries is a crucial hotspot for migratory species. The two countries have agreed to strengthen their cooperation for the benefit of nature and wildlife.  

During the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on cooperation in the field of wildlife conservation on the Ustyurt Plateau.

The memorandum is an important step towards reducing barriers to migration, promoting cooperation between governments and protected area staff in the border region, and enabling the exchange of monitoring data. It further strengthens the countries’ commitments under CMS and its Central Asian Mammal Initiative and incorporates the needs identified during a workshop of 25 participants from national ministries and protected area staff on the Ustyurt Plateau held in May 2023. The workshop, facilitated by GIZ and the Michael Succow Foundation, brought together practitioners, scientists and policy-makers for the first time to discuss opportunities for cooperation in this border region.  

In November, Turkmenistan hosted another Expert Exchange on Border Security, attended by representatives of the CMS Secretariat, which helped to further raise awareness of the need to co-operate on this issue. Representatives from Turkmenistan are also currently reviewing the Memorandum with a view to joining as well.