Astana, Kazakhstan – 22 April 2026 – H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), participated in the plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026), held at the EXPO International Exhibition Centre in Astana.
The high-level Summit convened Heads of State and Government, senior officials, and representatives of international organizations to advance regional dialogue on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the sustainable management of natural resources. Distinguished participants were welcomed by H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In his keynote address, President Tokayev underscored that environmental cooperation must serve as a unifying force grounded in partnership, trust, and shared responsibility, stressing that “nature can exist without geopolitics, but geopolitics cannot exist without nature.” He highlighted the growing impact of climate change, land degradation, and water stress on regional stability, noting that these challenges extend beyond the environmental sphere and directly affect economic resilience and the well-being of populations.
These priorities closely align with the mandate of IOFS, which advances integrated approaches to food security through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water management, and the protection of land resources. The President’s call for coordinated regional action underscores the relevance of IOFS’s work in supporting Member States to build resilient, adaptive, and sustainable food systems in the face of interconnected environmental challenges.
The opening plenary session featured remarks by regional leaders, including H.E. Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic; H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan; H.E. Serdar Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan; H.E. Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Republic of Armenia; H.E. Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, President of Mongolia; and H.E. Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia.
The Summit also welcomed H.E. Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, alongside senior representatives of the United Nations system, including H.E. Li Junhua, H.E. Inger Andersen, and H.E. Tatiana Molcean.
Held in partnership with the United Nations and other international stakeholders, the Summit serves as a strategic platform aimed at shaping integrated policies and practical instruments for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems, water and land resources, and biodiversity across Central Asia.
