Town-Based Recovery Initiatives

Mailuu-Suu in Kyrgyzstan is undergoing a significant transformation as it shifts from its uranium mining legacy toward a model centered on sustainable tourism and environmental renewal. Once defined by industrial activity, the town is now positioning itself as a destination that values ecological preservation, cultural engagement, and community resilience.

This transition is "being supported by a partnership between the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), and local authorities." Together, these organizations aim to promote sustainable livelihoods while restoring the natural environment impacted by decades of mining.

A milestone in this effort was "the OSCE-UNDP Forum on Sustainable Tourism, which underscored the role of ecotourism in generating green economic opportunities, revitalizing local ecosystems, and fostering environmental awareness." Through these initiatives, Mailuu-Suu is emerging as a model for eco-conscious development and regenerative travel in Central Asia.

Image Credit: