UCA and Talas State University Host Round Table on Climate, Health and Sustainable Development in Talas, Kyrgyzstan

The University of Central Asia, in partnership with Talas State University (TalSU), organised a round table on climate, health and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Kyrgyzstan. Organised at Talas State University, the event, held under UCA’s Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) Programme brought together faculty, researchers and students from both institutions to discuss pressing issues at the intersection of climate change, public health and sustainable development.

Discussions centered on the impact of climate change on water resources, ecosystems, soil quality, and public health, with expert presentations from UCA and TalSU scholars. Participants shared research findings, explored adaptation strategies, and offered policy recommendations tailored to the evolving environmental conditions in Kyrgyzstan.

In his opening remarks, Zhyrgalbek Sharshembiev, Rector of Talas State University, welcomed the UCA delegation:

“We are pleased to host our colleagues from the University of Central Asia for this important round table. It is a great honour to see our first joint activity take place here at Talas State University. I wish all participants productive discussions and meaningful outcomes.”

Following the round table, an interactive workshop on education was held, highlighting innovative practices in higher education, including the use of artificial intelligence in coursework assessment and the integration of neural networks into learning environments.

The event concluded with a Q&A session and an open forum, reinforcing the commitment of both institutions to collaborative research and sustainable development across the region.

This round table is part of UCA’s broader mission to foster dialogue and cross-sector cooperation on pressing environmental and health issues exacerbated by climate change. It aims to generate practical, evidence-based insights to inform policy and drive sustainable solutions in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.

The event is one in a series of many initiatives held under UCA’s Sustainable Mountain Development Programme across its founding states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The programme features workshops, round tables, exhibitions and conferences dedicated to regional priorities such as climate resilience, glacier preservation, sustainable economic growth and the integration of traditional knowledge into climate adaptation strategies.