Bashkiria may become key platform for UNESCO geopark network in Russia

The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan and Chairman of the Bashkortostan Committee for UNESCO Affairs, Ural Kilsenbaev, spoke today at a meeting of the organization held at the visitor center of the Eurasian Museum of Nomadic Civilizations. He outlined the main areas of its activity and reminded that in 2025 the site "Rock Art of the Shulgan-Tash Cave" was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Tentative World Heritage List also includes the following sites: "Bashkir Shikhans: Toratau, Kushtau, and Yuryaktau" (natural site) and "Voskresensky Copper Smelting Plant Complex" (cultural site). On September 6, 2025, the Toratau Geopark was included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.

"In August 2025, an evaluation mission by an expert from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources visited the site 'Bashkir Shikhans: Toratau, Yuryaktau, and Kushtau.' We have received the expert's report. The final decision is expected at the organization's session to be held in June 2026 in the South Korean city of Busan. Bashkortostan demonstrates its commitment to preserving natural heritage for future generations. The Shikhans are an important symbol of our republic, and their recognition by UNESCO will be a significant achievement," noted Ural Kilsenbaev.

According to him, in the future, Bashkortostan, which already has two unique natural zones, may become a key platform for the network of Russian UNESCO geoparks.

The First Deputy Prime Minister also reported that there are currently 39 UNESCO Associated Schools and 21 clubs operating in the republic, as well as three UNESCO Chairs established at local universities.

Bashkortostan is also working on the further development of the Bashkir Ural Biosphere Reserve, which includes the Kugarchinsky, Meleuzovsky, Ishimbaysky, Burzyansky, and Zilairsky districts.

The summary of the application to include traditional board beekeeping on the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is also being finalized. Bashkir board beekeeping may become the first agricultural heritage system in Russia to be nominated at the international level.

Author: Azat Gizzatullin