Responding to climate change: Youth Tree Planting campaign, supported by the OSCE, resumes across Kyrgyzstan

Participants of the national campaign "Jashyl Muras" riding a tractor at the Youth Tree Planting, Batken, 23 March 2024. (OSCE/Aida Almazbekova) Photo details

BISHKEK, 23 March 2024 - Youth of Kyrgyzstan planted more than 1000 seedlings of Virginia juniper and 555 seedlings of rose hips in the Batken region, thereby launching the traditional Youth Tree Planting campaign across the country.

The "Jashyl Muras" national campaign seeks to enhance environmental awareness among youth, safeguard and enrich Kyrgyzstan's natural heritage, and broaden the youth volunteer environmental movement. It was initiated by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, in March 2022. 565435

Within this campaign, environmental activists will gradually visit every region of the country to rally youth in planting over 1,000 seedlings per region. Through the collective efforts of the youth, the goal is to plant over 7,000 seedlings nationwide.

"Promoting the development of the Batken region is among the top priorities of the OSCE, and we are especially proud of the opportunity to support its youth in the fight against global warming," emphasized Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is commited to advancing environmental security and protection. In collaboration with our partners, we view this initiative as a driving force in uniting youth to combat the pressing global issue of climate change.

The event was organized by the NGO "Students of Kyrgyzstan for a Green Economy" together with the Forest Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Information, and Youth Policy, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, GIZ in Kyrgyzstan, and the National Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan.