Regional representative for West and Central Asia and the Caucasus
Based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Aibek is a researcher at Aigine Cultural Research Center. He has been working on documenting sacred sites as well as traditional ecological knowledge of local communities in Kyrgyzstan. In his work, he seeks to understand how sacred sites can enhance biocultural conservation both within and outside of formal protected areas. Another vein of his research is on territories of life, livelihoods, commons and adaptative strategies of the local communities living in the Syr Darya River Delta. Aibek has also been involved in international science-policy platforms such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Aibek has already served one term as a Council member representing the region. He contributed to regionalization and self-strengthening process in the region and participated in preparing the overview report of the ICCAs in the region.
