From 16 to 22 August 2026, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in co-operation with OSCE field operations in Central Asia and national and international partners, has organized the Regional Youth Summer Camp "Climate-Youth-Mountains" in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. The Camp brought together 20 young participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills on climate change, mountain security and sustainable development.
Organized in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on Mountain Agenda, the Tian-Shan High-Mountain Research Centre of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Public Association "Zherdin Baldary" and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Camp combined theoretical sessions with intensive field-based learning in the Chon-Kyzyl-Suu mountain area.
Throughout the week, participants explored the links between climate change, water resources, glaciers, biodiversity and the resilience of mountain ecosystems. Working alongside experts and researchers, they conducted meteorological observations at the Chon-Kyzyl-Suu mountain meteorological station, carry out hydrological measurements, assess mountain pastures and forests, and participate in a field expedition to a glacier "Kara-Batkak". These activities provided participants with first-hand experience of monitoring climate-related changes and understanding their implications for communities, ecosystems and security across Central Asia.
The Camp has also provided a regional platform for young people to exchange experiences and develop joint initiatives on climate resilience and sustainable mountain development. Participants have worked together on youth recommendations, ideas and proposals that can contribute to upcoming regional and international processes, including COP31 and preparations for the Global Mountain Summit "Bishkek+25" in 2027. As a practical outcome of the Camp, participants established CASE Lab (Central Asia Shared Expertise Lab), a regional platform designed to connect young professionals from across Central Asia to exchange expertise, develop joint initiatives and foster continued cross-border co-operation on shared climate and environmental challenges.
The initiative builds on previous OSCE youth activities on climate change and security in mountain regions and contributes to the implementation of OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No. 3/21 on "Strengthening Co-operation to Address the Challenges Caused by Climate Change". By connecting young people from across Central Asia and combining scientific knowledge with practical field experience, the Camp aimed to strengthen regional youth co-operation and encourage meaningful youth participation in addressing climate and security challenges affecting the region's mountain areas.
