Capacity: a priority issue for biodiversity conservation in Central Asia

Abstract Central Asia possesses some of the least known but most spectacular and intact wild landscapes of any region globally, hosting diverse communities of species adapted to temperate and arid grassland ecosystems. Growing recognition of these values and the threats to them posed by rapid economic development are likely to generate increased support and investment for conservation action. We undertook two studies during 2022–2025 to better understand regional conservation priorities and conservation capacity, during which we conducted 117 meetings and online calls with representatives of government, international development, donor and civil society organizations engaged with conservation in the region. Eighty-three per cent of the 55 participants questioned about conservation priorities considered low levels of technical, managerial and leadership capacity to be a significant constraint on the effectiveness of conservation action. We highlight various options for addressing these gaps in skills and knowledge and urge governments and international institutions supporting conservation in Central Asia to make capacity building a priority for their intervention and investment in the region.