From 19 to 21 May 2026, the international regional meeting “BESPIN Regional Trialogue for Europe and Central Asia. Coordinated Uptake of Biodiversity and Climate Knowledge for Transformative Action” was held in Skopje, North Macedonia. The event brought together representatives of the scientific community, public authorities, international organizations, and experts in the fields of biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development.
Roman Vasilyevich Yashchenko, Director General of the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Doctor of Biological Sciences, took part in the meeting. Participation in this international event provided an important opportunity to present Kazakhstan’s scientific potential, exchange experience with foreign colleagues, and discuss modern approaches to integrating biodiversity and climate knowledge into decision-making processes.
The BESPIN regional meeting was organized as a platform for “trialogue” — interaction among science, policy, and practice. The main purpose of the forum was to strengthen coordination among different sectors and stakeholders in the use of scientific knowledge for developing effective measures in the fields of nature conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable natural resource management.
During the discussions, special attention was paid to the coordinated use of data and knowledge on the state of biodiversity and climate processes, the development of cross-sectoral cooperation, and the improvement of interaction mechanisms among research institutes, government bodies, and international platforms. Participants explored ways to strengthen scientific and expert support for environmental policy in the countries of Europe and Central Asia and discussed prospects for the practical application of research results to achieve transformative changes in the management of natural systems.
For the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participation in such an event is of particular importance, since the conservation of Kazakhstan’s biodiversity, ecosystem monitoring, the study of rare and endangered animal species, and the assessment of climate impacts on the country’s fauna are among the institute’s key research areas. Under conditions of increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressure, the need to rely on scientific data in the development of environmental decisions is becoming increasingly relevant.
Within the framework of the meeting, R.V. Yashchenko held a number of professional discussions with international experts and representatives of specialized organizations on the development of regional cooperation, data and knowledge exchange, and the expansion of the participation of Central Asian scientific institutions in international initiatives related to biodiversity and climate. Such contacts contribute to strengthening the international scientific ties of the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan and open up additional opportunities for participation in joint research, expert platforms, and conservation projects.
The participation of the Director General of the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the BESPIN regional meeting confirms the institute’s important role as the country’s leading scientific center in the field of zoological research and wildlife conservation. The Institute consistently develops international cooperation, takes part in discussing pressing environmental challenges, and contributes to promoting science-based approaches to biodiversity conservation at the national and regional levels. Following the event, promising areas for further cooperation among the scientific community, government institutions, and international partners were identified in the field of coordinating biodiversity and climate knowledge. The materials obtained and expert contacts established during the meeting will contribute to the further development of the Institute of Zoology’s research and practical initiatives aimed at conserving Kazakhstan’s biodiversity and promoting sustainable natural resource use.
23.05.2026