On October 12, 2024, one of the world’s largest conservation events, the WCN Fall Expo 2024, organized by the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), took place in San Francisco. The event gathered over 400 participants representing leading environmental organizations, research centers, and conservation funds from more than 60 countries. Participants from Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Americas highlighted the global significance of the Expo.
Traditionally held at the Mission Bay Conference Center, the exhibition focused on biodiversity conservation and endangered species protection. The program featured numerous presentations, roundtables, and project showcases highlighting efforts to protect more than 70 wildlife species on the brink of extinction. Among the participants was the Saiga Conservation Alliance (SCA), an organization actively working in Central Asia to protect the saiga, a unique and vulnerable antelope species whose population has decreased by 95% in recent decades.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation by representatives from WCN-supported crisis funds such as the Lion Recovery Fund, Elephant Crisis Fund, and Pangolin Crisis Fund. These organizations shared best practices in protecting not only individual species but also entire ecosystems, and their efforts have significantly impacted global wildlife conservation by promoting sustainable conservation strategies.
Another pivotal moment was the introduction of the Amazonia Program, aimed at supporting young conservationists in the Amazon Basin. This program provides local experts with resources and training to help develop long-term strategies for ecosystem preservation. Additionally, the announcement of the Painted Dog Fund, which seeks to double the population of African painted dogs by 2055, was another major milestone at the Expo.
The entire WCN Fall Expo 2024 program showcased the international community’s commitment to tackling urgent environmental challenges, uniting efforts to protect nature and maintain ecosystem balance. The exhibition provided a platform not only for discussing global conservation challenges but also for fostering new partnerships and knowledge sharing in environmental protection.
At this international event, the Saiga Conservation Alliance showcased its key achievements. Considering the long-standing threat of saiga extinction, our booth at the Expo served as a vital platform to raise awareness of this issue and promote our conservation projects. Elena Bykova, co-founder and program director in Uzbekistan, and Zebo Isakova, project manager, presented a broad range of the Alliance’s initiatives. They emphasized both the saiga’s ecological importance and Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, which helped engage a wide audience. This approach created a strong foundation for further collaboration with international donors and biodiversity experts.
Our participation in the WCN Fall Expo 2024 focused on several priority areas, which were thoroughly integrated into discussions with donors and partners.
Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation: Primarily, we discussed protecting the natural landscapes essential for saiga survival. We presented our project supporting the Aralkum National Nature Park in Uzbekistan, which not only protects the saiga population but also contributes to biodiversity restoration in the region. Strengthening cross-border cooperation with Kazakhstan to establish a unified system of protected areas further enhanced our conservation strategy. This initiative received positive feedback from donors, affirming its importance for global ecosystem protection. This project is part of the broader “Rebirth Island Program,” which also supports local communities through environmental education and skill development.
Ecotourism Development: Promoting ecotourism was another key focus area that garnered significant interest from exhibition participants. We view ecotourism as an opportunity to raise awareness about saigas and their habitats while creating sustainable income sources for local communities. This initiative is closely tied to ecosystem preservation and the long-term economic development of regions where saigas live.
Our active engagement with American donors underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development challenges. We received positive feedback from donors interested in long-term collaboration, which will enable us to scale up our projects.
In conclusion, the Saiga Conservation Alliance’s participation in WCN Fall Expo 2024 underscored the importance of conserving not only individual species but entire ecosystems. We reaffirmed our commitment to wildlife conservation and climate change mitigation, strengthening existing partnerships and laying the groundwork for new projects aimed at a sustainable future.
Special attention was given to the ecological role of the saiga. Saigas play a critical role in maintaining soil fertility and biodiversity in the steppes, making them an essential component of Central Asia’s ecosystem. Donors actively discussed the importance of these animals for the region’s sustainable development and ecological balance.
The Saiga Conservation Alliance’s presence at the WCN Fall Expo 2024 also highlighted Uzbekistan’s key role in global conservation efforts. The Alliance not only strengthened its existing partnerships but also laid the groundwork for new projects focused on saiga conservation and ecosystem restoration. This event attracted international attention to Central Asia’s conservation challenges and opened new opportunities for funding and collaboration.
For more information on the Saiga Conservation Alliance’s projects and initiatives, please contact us via email or visit our website.
Photo: Saiga Conservation Alliance