The cold winter deserts of Central Asia are not yet included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A recent study by IUCN emphasizes that they have the potential to be included.

Against this background, the CADI project invited 25 experts from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to a workshop on the island of Vilm from 28th till 31th of January to discuss the possible nomination of the biome. The preparation and support of a nomination of the cold winter deserts is one of the main goals of the CADI project.

As a result of the workshop, the participants of the three countries have agreed about a joint declaration to initiate a serial transnational nomination. The serial World Heritage Site should include various desert protected areas in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Through the joint nomination, the nature conservation of the sites, the cross-border management of the sites, and regional cooperation as a whole are to be strengthened.

Joint declaration of intent and schedule towards the World Natural Heritage nomination of the “Cold winter deserts of Turan”

List of participants of the Workshop on Vilm

World Heritage thematic study for Central Asia (IUCN)

IUCN presentation: World Heritage in Central Asia

Article in the journal “Turkmenistan – Golden Age” about the WHS nomination process in Turkmenistan (18.02.2020)