The side-event entitled “Mountain Forests' Restoration: a path to recovered, resilient and sustainable mountain countries and communities” was organized by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN in New York on behalf of the members of the Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries, in the margins of the 16^th session of the UN Forum on Forests to be held from 26-30 April, 2021.

The UN Assistant Secretary General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, representatives of other UN agencies, permanent representatives of UN Member States, international organizations and the private sector participated at the side event.

Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN Mirgul Moldoisayeva noted that the main focus of the side event is to create fruitful discussion between mountainous Member States and other relevant stakeholders on how to contribute to the protection of mountain forests and sustainable use of their resources.

Mirgul Moldoisayeva also informed that over 90% of Kyrgyzstan's territories covered by mountains, and in the southeast of the country there is a unique forest Arslanbob, which is the world's largest relict walnut forest. At the same time she informed about the measures taken by the Government of Kyrgyzstan together with international donors to conserve mountain and forest biodiversity in the country. Mirgul Moldoisaeva also noted that the UN General Assembly resolution adopted by the initiation of Kyrgyzstan "Nature knows no borders: transboundary cooperation is a key factor in the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity" will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in the world.

Panel discussion was also organized as a part of the event, where experts and scientists presented their presentations on the restoration and conservation of mountain forests in the world.