German Kust

Dr. German Kust is a leading expert in sustainable land management, desertification and drought resilience with more than 30 years of experience in environmental science and policy. Born in Moscow, he holds a Doctor of Biology degree from Moscow Lomonosov State University and is Principal Researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where he has headed the Centre for Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought since 2017.

He has been deeply involved in the UNCCD, serving as a member of the Science-Policy Interface (2013–2019), Vice Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology (2017–2019) and Chair of the Interregional Group “Central Asia–Russia” for the implementation of the UNCCD Framework since 2023. He has contributed to several UNCCD initiatives including the LDN expert group and the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought. His work spans policy development, scientific research and capacity building, particularly in Central Asia.

As an international consultant Dr. Kust has advised the World Bank, UNDP, FAO and GIZ on sustainable land management, climate adaptation and environmental safeguards in projects across Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries. With more than 300 publications and extensive field experience in arid regions he works at the interface of science and policy to advance global land restoration goals.