Tyva has hosted the 12^th Ubsunur International Symposium on the Ecosystems of Central Asia: Research, Conservation and Rational Use. Taking part in the conference were delegations from Russia’s regions (Republic of Altai, Tyva, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk), as well as from Mongolia, China and Kyrgyzstan. The symposium featured presentations on research projects and articles by Italian and German academics on the ecosystems of Central Asia.

The symposium also included a session of the Russian-Mongolian commission to manage the Ubsunur Hollow cross-border biosphere reserve. Participants summed up the results of the last reporting period and approved cooperation plans for the next five years. The relevant agreement was signed by the governments of Russia and Mongolia on 31 May 2011, and envisages cooperation in protecting natural systems, including rare and endangered flora and fauna species of the Ubsunur Hollow, specifically the snow leopard. A cross-border wildlife reserve already exists along the Russian-Mongolian border in Russia’s Republic of Tyva and Mongolia’s Uvs Province. It includes the Ubsunur Hollow Nature Reserve (Russia) and the Uvs Nuur Wildlife Reserve (Mongolia).

There are plans to create a similar cross-border reserve within Sailyugem National Park: talks are underway with representatives of Mongolian specially protected areas along with efforts to provide a legal framework for the initiative. International cooperation is expected to enhance the efficiency of joint efforts to monitor endangered species such as the argali and the snow leopard.