SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
Sustainable mountain development
Kyrgyz Republic
As “Sustainable Mountain Development” is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we consider it highly important to highlight and discuss this topic. *Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- SDGs
- Society 5.0
- future society
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.10.03[Fri]
18:00 ～ 20:00
(Venue Open 17:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
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Background:
The event takes place in the context of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, during the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027), as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly. It aims to raise global awareness of the critical importance of mountains and mountain ecosystems for the sustainable future of the planet.
Mountains provide essential services such as fresh water, biodiversity, cultural heritage, climate regulation, and livelihoods for millions of people, including some of the most vulnerable communities. At the same time, mountain regions face negative impact of climate change, glacier melting, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic challenges etc.
This side event will:
• Mobilize international partnerships to support sustainable mountain development;
• Provide a platform for stakeholders to share innovative practices and amplify the global visibility of mountain issues.
Key message:
Mountain ecosystems provide people and the planet with essential goods and services such as water, food and biodiversity. Home to about 1.1 billion people, the mountains are also centres of cultural diversity and traditional knowledge. However, biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, pollution and other impacts are severely and increasingly affecting mountain livelihoods and ecosystems. Mountain communities are highly dependent on small-scale and family-based agriculture. Mountain regions are facing multiple and significant economic challenges. However, at the same time they can provide economic opportunities for the benefit of their own communities, especially in the field of sustainable tourism and organic production. Despite their vulnerabilities, mountains represent key ecosystems that can reduce a range of climate change risks and provide multiple co-benefits through the implementation of adaptation and resilience measures.
Theme:
Sustainable Mountain Development
Main discussion topics:
• The impact of climate change on mountain regions and disaster risk reduction;
• The state of glaciers and the cryosphere in the context of the International Year of Glacier Preservation (2025);
• Conservation of mountain ecosystems and biodiversity;
• Supporting mountain communities through diversified income sources and improved access to healthcare, education, energy, internet, and fresh water;
• Promoting sustainable mountain development through mountain products, geoparks, and ecotourism;
• Tackling degradation of mountain pastures and forests for climate resilience and livelihoods;
• Elevating mountain initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic on the global arena.
18.00-18.15
Opening remarks
Moderator: Mr. Ueda Takafumi, Senior Advisor on Private Sector Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• Mrs. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on mountain agenda
• Mr. Yutaka Matsuzawa, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Environment of Japan (online)
18.15-18.35 Ms. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on mountain agenda Keynote presentation
Sustainable mountain development and Five years of action for development of mountain regions
18.35-18.50 Professor Kenji Tanaka, Disaster prevention research institute, Japan Presentation
The importance of the glacier melting component in summer season
18.50-19.05 Ms. Kana Furusawa, Japanese geoparks network, Japan Presentation
Geoparks and sustainable mountain development
19.05-19.20 Mr. Deo Raj Gurung, Senior Advisor - Climate Resilience and Mountain Science, University of Central Asia, Kyrgyz Republic Speech
19.20-19.50 Q&A Session
19.50-20.00 Closing summary -Moderator
Reports
【Reflection】
The side event “Sustainable Mountain Development” organised by the Kyrgyz Republic during SDGs + Beyond: Future Society for Life Week at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, placed mountains at the centre of global sustainability discussions. Moderated by Mr. Takafumi Ueda (JICA), the session brought together key voices including Mrs. Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on the mountain agenda, Mr. Yutaka Matsuzawa, Senior Advisor to Japan’s Minister of the Environment, and several international experts and researchers.
Mrs. Kemelova emphasised that mountain ecosystems are vital for humanity, providing fresh water, biodiversity, and cultural heritage for more than a billion people. She outlined Kyrgyzstan’s leadership role in promoting the “Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023–2027)” declared by the UN General Assembly, and its national roadmap integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into policies for mountain communities. Her keynote drew attention to the country’s efforts in biodiversity preservation, glacier protection, and empowering women and youth as agents of mountain sustainability.
Mr. Matsuzawa, speaking online, underlined Japan’s cooperation through the Satoyama Initiative, national park management, and climate adaptation platforms. He also introduced the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between Japan and Kyrgyzstan to promote decarbonisation and climate resilience in schools and public facilities.
Together, the speakers affirmed that protecting mountain ecosystems is essential not only for the environment but also for the livelihoods and cultures of mountain peoples. The session embodied Expo 2025’s spirit of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” demonstrating how international partnerships can transform vulnerability into resilience and action.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following Expo 2025, the Kyrgyz Republic will continue implementing its Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions, with a focus on translating dialogue into concrete outcomes. Initiatives include the organisation of the Second Global Mountain Summit in 2027, the advancement of a global framework for mountain policies, and strengthened monitoring of glaciers and biodiversity under UNESCO and UN frameworks.
Collaboration with Japan will deepen through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and the Satoyama Initiative, promoting clean technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable land management in mountain areas. Educational and research partnerships with institutions such as the University of Central Asia and Japanese universities will enhance scientific exchange and innovation in climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration.
Domestically, Kyrgyzstan will scale up its National Roadmap for Sustainable Mountain Development, focusing on rural infrastructure, access to education and healthcare, women’s empowerment, and the promotion of sustainable mountain products and ecotourism.
Through these initiatives, Kyrgyzstan aims to solidify its position as a global advocate for mountain sustainability, transforming Expo 2025’s platform into lasting international cooperation that safeguards the natural and cultural heritage of the world’s mountain regions.
Cast
Speakers
Dinara Kemelova
Government of Kyrgyz Republic
Mrs. Dinara Kemelova Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on mountain agenda
Mrs. Dinara Kemelova has more than 27 years of experience in the Foreign Service of Kyrgyzstan. Her long and distinguished career spans many years covering diplomacy, foreign policy, international relations, human rights, sustainable development, water and environment, climate change, peace and security.
She held various positions in the Foreign Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, including the positions of First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea.
Mrs. Kemelova has strong university background with specialization of International Law, and holds a Master of Science in Sustainability, Development and Peace from the United Nations University (Tokyo). She obtained Joint Diploma on Sustainability Science and Global Leadership Initiative of the University of Tokyo& the United Nations University (2015).
She is the author of several articles in the field of international law, water issues, and international relations.
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Yutaka Matsuzawa
Ministry of environment of Japan
2025 – Senior Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
2023 – 2025 Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, MOE
2022 – 2023 Director General, Global Environment Bureau, MOE
2021 – 2022 Director General, Environmental Management Bureau, MOE
2020 – 2021 Deputy Director-General, Environmental Regeneration and Material Cycles Bureau, MOE
2018 – 2020 Councillor, Minister's Secretariat, MOE
2015 – 2018 Deputy Director-General, Environmental Regeneration and Material Cycles Bureau, MOE
2012 – 2015 Director, Climate Change Policy Division, Global Environment Bureau, MOE
2010 – 2012 Counsellor, Cabinet Secretariat
1989 Director, Research and Information Office, Policy Planning Division, Global Environment Bureau, MOE; Waste Management Division, Public Health Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare
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Ueda Takafumi
Senior advisor on Private Sector Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Mr. Ueda has 35 years of experience in international cooperation in promoting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, investment and trade promotion, rural enterprise development, including One Village One Product (OVOP), and sustainable tourism development in developing countries. Before working at JICA, he spent 14 years with International Labour Organization (ILO) as Enterprise Development Specialist. For the past years, he has been involved in OVOP and tourism projects in the Kyrgyz Republic.
He has MBA from Graduate School of Business and MA from Food Research Institute at Stanford University (1991).
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Tanaka Kenji
Kyoto University
Kenji Tanaka is a professor at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University,
and serves as the Director of the Water Resources Research Center within the institute.
He has been involved in the field of surface energy and water balance, and he has been working on the development of the land surface model SiBUC. Since 2017, he has been conducting the field measurement of the glacier surface energy balance to include the glacier component in the land surface model. He is one of the leading scientists in the field of water resources in Japan.
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Deo Raj Gurung
Senior adviser, Climate resilience and Mountain Science, University of Central Asia
Deo Raj brings over 25 years of professional experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and geo-spatial science. Prior to joining UCA, he served as Chief Scientist at the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), where he provided leadership on science, research, and innovation to support community-level risk management and resilience-building programs across multiple countries. His previous roles also include senior positions at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and within the Government of Bhutan.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Jadavpur University, India, and a Master of Science in Physical Geography/Geomorphology from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan.
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Kana Furusawa
Secretary General, Japanese Geoparks Network
She started to work for geoparks in 2013 as a Coordinator for International Relations in Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark. She became a member of Advisory Committee of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) in 2017 and elected as a Vice Coordinator of the APGN in 2022. She was elected as a member of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) Executive Board in 2021 and elected as a Vice President of the GGN in 2025.
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SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
Sustainable mountain development
As “Sustainable Mountain Development” is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we consider it highly important to highlight and discuss this topic. *Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
2025.10.03[Fri]
18:00～20:00
(Venue Open 17:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life Week
