President of Kazakhstan urged five countries to unite to save Caspian seals

Tengrinews.kz —President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the COP17 Biodiversity Leaders’ Summit, outlining Kazakhstan’s initiatives to preserve and restore populations of rare animal species.

As Tokayev noted, Kazakhstan has already achieved significant results in biodiversity conservation. One of the country's major successes has been the restoration of the saiga antelope population.

"This ancient animal, a survivor of the Ice Age, continues to play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of our steppes. Today, Kazakhstan is home to approximately 98 percent of the global population of this species. While our country had only 21,000 individuals in 2003, their numbers reached 4.7 million by the spring of this year," the Head of State announced.

There are also encouraging signs of recovery in the snow leopard population.

"The snow leopard is a majestic symbol of our mountains' natural wealth. About 70 percent of its habitat in our country is located within protected areas. Thanks to robust, continuous protection and systematic scientific monitoring, the population has grown from critically low levels in the 1990s to approximately 190 individuals. These successes were made possible by years of persistent and consistent efforts by government authorities, scientists, and international partners," he said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the Russian Federation and its President, as well as the UN Development Programme, the World Wildlife Fund, and other international partners and NGOs for their assistance in reintroducing the Turan tiger. He emphasized that the release of a tiger into the wild this June—the first in 70 years—was an event of great significance for Kazakhstan.

Furthermore, the President reported that work is underway to revive the Przewalski's horse population in collaboration with Czech, German, and Hungarian partners.

The President also addressed the urgent need to protect the unique biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.

"At the recent inaugural Caspian Ecological Summit in Turkmenistan, I called for immediate and coordinated action to prevent irreparable damage to this fragile ecosystem. The future of the Caspian seal is of particular concern; over the last century, its population has plummeted from one million to 270,000. In Kazakhstan, the Caspian seal is officially listed as a rare and endangered species. We urge all five Caspian littoral states and the international community to intensify efforts to protect this species. The tragedy of the Aral Sea serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of irresponsible resource management. We must not allow the Caspian Sea to meet the same fate," Tokayev stressed.

The Head of State also informed Summit participants of Kazakhstan’s proposal to establish an International Fund for the Protection of Rare Species and Biodiversity Conservation, inviting foreign partners to join the initiative.

"Following this initiative, we have adopted a 10-year National Biodiversity Program aimed at restoring natural habitats, protecting species, and expanding the network of specially protected natural areas. We are also establishing a National Genetic Biodiversity Bank. Kazakhstan is actively engaged in regional cooperation as well. This April, Astana hosted the UN Regional Environmental Summit, which concluded with the adoption of the Astana Declaration on Environmental Solidarity in Central Asia. With the support of the littoral states, Kazakhstan is also spearheading an interstate program for the conservation of Caspian Sea water resources," the President remarked.

As a reminder, the Caspian seal was included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan in November 2020. Additionally, in October 2024, the "Caspian Itbalygy State Nature Reserve" was established as a state institution.