Central Asia is increasingly at the frontline of climate change, biodiversity loss, and water insecurity. Rising temperatures, land degradation, glacier retreat, and more frequent droughts and floods are placing growing pressure on ecosystems, economies, and communities. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a unique opportunity to address these interconnected challenges by restoring ecosystems, strengthening climate resilience, enhancing water security, conserving biodiversity, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Over the past decade, governments and development partners have implemented a number of successful NbS pilot initiatives across the region. These experiences have demonstrated tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, moving from pilot projects to large-scale implementation remains a major challenge. Key barriers include limited financing, insufficient technical capacity, gaps in policy and regulatory frameworks, inadequate standards and monitoring approaches, and the need for stronger evidence and knowledge-sharing to support replication and investment.

This side event will bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and development partners to explore how NbS can be scaled up as a strategic tool for delivering the objectives of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework while contributing to climate adaptation, water security, and sustainable development in Central Asia.

The event will pursue the following objectives:

1. Showcase the multiple benefits of NbS for strengthening biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, water resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihoods across Central Asia.
2. Exchange practical experiences and lessons learned on mainstreaming NbS into national policies, sectoral planning, and regional cooperation frameworks.
3. Promote transboundary cooperation to restore and sustainably manage shared water resources and ecosystems through ecosystem-based approaches.
4. Strengthen institutional and technical capacity by sharing innovative approaches, financing mechanisms, monitoring frameworks, and experiences from Central Asia and other regions.

The side event will benefit government representatives, biodiversity and water authorities, river basin organizations, research institutions, municipalities, development partners, civil society organizations, and practitioners engaged in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and financing of Nature-based Solutions.