16:36, 16 июня 2026, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Anastasia BENGARD
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) was conducted prior to the International Motorsports Championship UIM F1H2O round on Issyk-Kul Lake. Eduard Kubatov, Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced at a press conference.
According to him, organizing such international sporting events in Issyk-Ku region does not require an EIA.
Nevertheless, to address all public concerns, independent environmental companies and experts conducted the assessment. In addition, a state environmental assessment was also conducted.
«Scientists from the National Academy of Sciences will also participate in the pre- and post-race assessment. We also corresponded with the Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve regarding possible bans from UNESCO and other international organizations. We received all the necessary responses stating that UIM F1H2O can be held on water, and the impact on the environment and water will be absolutely insignificant,» Eduard Kubatov said.
He added that the competition has been held since 1981 in various countries around the world.
«We haven’t seen a single major incident where gasoline or motor oil spilled on water after an accident or collision. But the International Federation has a very strict protocol. If such an incident theoretically occurs, there are regulations that address any potential leaks. But since 1981, more than 200 major international events have been held, and we haven’t recorded any major incidents involving gasoline spills,» Eduard Kubatov emphasized.
Meer Kulumbaev, Head of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ State Environmental Expertise Department, added that the Issyk-Kul Regional Department reviewed the design documentation and preliminary environmental impact assessment, and issued a positive state environmental expert assessment.
«All stages of the races, along with their environmental impacts (water and land resources, atmospheric air, waste generation), are outlined. After review, a positive state expert assessment was issued,» he said.
Earlier, ecologist Samat Kushbek published an open appeal demanding the cancellation of the races, citing a possible threat to the lake’s ecosystem. Eduard Kubatov, Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development, commented on the criticism surrounding the project in an interview with 24.kg news agency and stated that modern F1H2O technologies prevent lake pollution.
«I can guarantee that not a single drop of petroleum products will get into Issyk-Kul,» he said.