From August 16 to 17, 2023 in the picturesque area of Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan (club-hotel "Royal Beach", Chok-Tal village) was held an international scientific-practical conference on the theme: "Actual issues of environmental research for sustainable development in arid zones".

The conference was organized by the following scientific institutions: Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (Bishkek and Almaty); Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic; Xinjiang Agricultural University; Institute of Geology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic; Institute of Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic; Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The event brought together scientists and experts from research and educational institutions, representatives of government agencies and non-governmental organizations in the field of ecology and sustainable development to discuss current environmental problems in the region and find ways to address them. The conference also aimed to create a platform for the exchange of information, knowledge and experience between scientists and specialists, and to strengthen cooperation.

The conference was attended by scientists and specialists from Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Japan, more than 70 participants. There were 56 reports and presentations, including poster presentations.

The conference was organized in five main directions reflecting key aspects of environment and sustainable development in arid zones: 1.Water Resources and Water Treatment Technologies; 2. Biodiversity; 3.Climate Change and Environmental Monitoring Systems; 4. Natural Disasters; 5. Sustainable Use of Grassland Zones.

The received papers and abstracts were published in the Proceedings of the conference and selected scientific papers will be published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal "Vestnik KRSU" (Bulletin of Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University).

Discussion of actual issues and exchange of information contributed to the expansion of knowledge and understanding of environmental problems in arid conditions, and allowed to identify key challenges for further decision-making to ensure the conservation of natural resources and sustainable development in this region.

The conference also facilitated networking and cooperation among scientists and specialists, which is important for the development of common approaches and strategies in research and solutions to environmental problems at the regional level in Central Asia.