National Youth Summer Camp “Climate – Mountains – Youth” Launches in Kyrgyzstan

Kyzyl-Suu, 22 August 2025 — More than 20 participants from across Kyrgyzstan gathered in Kyzyl-Suu for the National Youth Summer Camp “Climate – Mountains – Youth”, jointly organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the Office of the Special Representative of the President of Kyrgyzstan for the Implementation of the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, the Tian-Shan High-Mountain Scientific Centre, Federation of the Mountaineering and Sport Climbing of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the public youth organisation “Students of Kyrgyzstan for the Green Economy”.

The eight-day Summer Camp provides young leaders with an opportunity to learn, practice, and exchange ideas on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and sustainable development. Through interactive workshops, field research, and practical sessions on glaciers, water, and pastureland, participants explore the direct impacts of climate change on Kyrgyzstan’s environment and communities.

The official opening was attended by Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek; Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President; Ruslan Satylkanov, Director of the Tian-Shan High-Mountain Scientific Centre; and Eduard Kubatov, President of the Federation of Mountaineering and Sport Climbing of the Kyrgyz Republic. They emphasized the importance of empowering youth to take an active role in climate action and sustainable mountain development.

Highlights of the programme include:

• Training on the science of climate change and glacier monitoring;
• Field visits to high-altitude research stations and Issyk-Kul Lake;
• Hands-on research on water quality, biodiversity, and pasture degradation;
• Rock-climbing and mountain safety training to build resilience skills;
• Creative sessions, including art therapy and open talks, to amplify youth voices.

The Summer Camp serves as a unique platform for young people to connect science, practice, and community engagement. By combining classroom sessions with fieldwork in Kyrgyzstan’s iconic mountain landscapes, the initiative equips youth with knowledge and motivation to contribute to sustainable solutions.

The event is part of the OSCE’s continued efforts to promote climate change awareness, environmental security and youth empowerment.