The President of Uzbekistan has announced new initiatives to address climate and environmental challenges in Central Asia
Economy
On April 22, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the opening ceremony of the Regional Environmental Summit, currently taking place in Astana.
The event was also attended by the Presidents of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Ministers of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze and Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, as well as the heads of international and regional organizations.
In his speech, the head of state sincerely congratulated President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the successful organization of the summit and supported its main idea – "A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future," which emphasizes the profound interconnectedness of environmental challenges and the need to address them jointly.
Noting that the current meeting is a logical continuation of the dialogue initiated at the Samarkand Climate Forum last year, the President of Uzbekistan expressed satisfaction with the advancement of environmental diplomacy in Central Asian states to a qualitatively new level, becoming consistent and systemic.
As the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized, environmental issues today cannot be considered in isolation from global climate change.
"The pace of global warming continues to accelerate, and in Central Asia, temperatures are rising twice as fast. Nearly a third of the region's glaciers have been lost, precipitation patterns are destabilizing, and water shortages are increasing. Land degradation has already affected 80 million hectares," the head of state stated.
Concern was expressed over the weakening of global environmental solidarity. The importance of ensuring timely and equitable access for developing countries to climate finance, advanced technologies, and innovation was emphasized.
It was noted with satisfaction that the Central Asian states have succeeded in elevating environmental protection issues to the level of key priorities for regional cooperation.
This is evidenced by the adoption of a number of important, strategic regional programs to promote a green agenda, adapt to climate change, and protect the environment.
The head of our state specifically highlighted the systemic measures being taken in Uzbekistan to build environmental sustainability.
"As part of the Yashil Makon project, approximately 1 billion trees and shrubs have been planted, over 2 million hectares of forests have been planted on the dry Aral Seabed, and new green belts are being created. At our initiative, the UN General Assembly resolution "Decade of Action on Afforestation and Reforestation" was adopted," the leader of Uzbekistan noted.
Furthermore, as a result of large-scale water conservation efforts, 10 billion cubic meters of water are saved annually. The share of green energy in the country's generating capacity has reached 30 percent, and by 2030, it will exceed 50 percent.
The Paris Agreement commitment to reduce emissions by 35 percent has been fulfilled ahead of schedule, and a new goal has been set: halving them by 2035.
Waste-to-energy projects are being actively implemented. Two new waste incineration plants will begin operating this year, with nine more to follow in the next two years. Their commissioning will allow for the annual recycling of 5.5 million tons of waste, generate 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, and reduce emissions by more than 1 million tons.
Furthermore, the head of Uzbekistan put forward a number of specific initiatives to address climate and environmental challenges in Central Asia.
Given the deteriorating air quality, it has been proposed to establish an intergovernmental consortium, "Clean Air for Central Asia," which could serve as a joint operator for green financing to modernize industry and implement emission control systems.
The President advocated granting regional status to the Center for Combating Desertification, Drought Prevention, and Early Warning of Sand and Dust Storms at the Green University in Tashkent. It was noted that consolidation within the Center for Scientific Potential would enable the creation of a powerful system for monitoring land degradation and salt and dust emissions.
To accelerate technological transition, the creation of a "Green Trade Corridor for Central Asia" was initiated, introducing preferential customs regimes and mutual recognition of eco-product certificates.
The need for a unified Investment Portfolio of Climate Projects for Central Asia was emphasized, which would allow for a comprehensive development strategy for the region and increase partner interest in its implementation.
The compilation of a Unified Regional Atlas of Environmental Changes could serve as a fundamental scientific and analytical framework that clearly reflects the dynamics of desertification, land degradation, and water resource conditions in the region.
To preserve biodiversity, it was proposed to develop a Red Data Book for Central Asia under the coordination of the regional office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Tashkent.
To promote the climate agenda and environmental awareness among the younger generation, a commitment was expressed to host the World Youth Climate Forum in Uzbekistan in 2027.
Concluding his speech, the head of Uzbekistan invited those present to participate in the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the World Water Forum, which will be held this year in Samarkand.
In his speech, the head of state sincerely congratulated President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the successful organization of the summit and supported its main idea – "A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future," which emphasizes the profound interconnectedness of environmental challenges and the need to address them jointly.
Noting that the current meeting is a logical continuation of the dialogue initiated at the Samarkand Climate Forum last year, the President of Uzbekistan expressed satisfaction with the advancement of environmental diplomacy in Central Asian states to a qualitatively new level, becoming consistent and systemic.
As the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized, environmental issues today cannot be considered in isolation from global climate change.
"The pace of global warming continues to accelerate, and in Central Asia, temperatures are rising twice as fast. Nearly a third of the region's glaciers have been lost, precipitation patterns are destabilizing, and water shortages are increasing. Land degradation has already affected 80 million hectares," the head of state stated.
Concern was expressed over the weakening of global environmental solidarity. The importance of ensuring timely and equitable access for developing countries to climate finance, advanced technologies, and innovation was emphasized.
It was noted with satisfaction that the Central Asian states have succeeded in elevating environmental protection issues to the level of key priorities for regional cooperation.
This is evidenced by the adoption of a number of important, strategic regional programs to promote a green agenda, adapt to climate change, and protect the environment.
The head of our state specifically highlighted the systemic measures being taken in Uzbekistan to build environmental sustainability.
"As part of the Yashil Makon project, approximately 1 billion trees and shrubs have been planted, over 2 million hectares of forests have been planted on the dry Aral Seabed, and new green belts are being created. At our initiative, the UN General Assembly resolution "Decade of Action on Afforestation and Reforestation" was adopted," the leader of Uzbekistan noted.
Furthermore, as a result of large-scale water conservation efforts, 10 billion cubic meters of water are saved annually. The share of green energy in the country's generating capacity has reached 30 percent, and by 2030, it will exceed 50 percent.
The Paris Agreement commitment to reduce emissions by 35 percent has been fulfilled ahead of schedule, and a new goal has been set: halving them by 2035.
Waste-to-energy projects are being actively implemented. Two new waste incineration plants will begin operating this year, with nine more to follow in the next two years. Their commissioning will allow for the annual recycling of 5.5 million tons of waste, generate 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, and reduce emissions by more than 1 million tons.
Furthermore, the head of Uzbekistan put forward a number of specific initiatives to address climate and environmental challenges in Central Asia.
Given the deteriorating air quality, it has been proposed to establish an intergovernmental consortium, "Clean Air for Central Asia," which could serve as a joint operator for green financing to modernize industry and implement emission control systems.
The President advocated granting regional status to the Center for Combating Desertification, Drought Prevention, and Early Warning of Sand and Dust Storms at the Green University in Tashkent. It was noted that consolidation within the Center for Scientific Potential would enable the creation of a powerful system for monitoring land degradation and salt and dust emissions.
To accelerate technological transition, the creation of a "Green Trade Corridor for Central Asia" was initiated, introducing preferential customs regimes and mutual recognition of eco-product certificates.
The need for a unified Investment Portfolio of Climate Projects for Central Asia was emphasized, which would allow for a comprehensive development strategy for the region and increase partner interest in its implementation.
The compilation of a Unified Regional Atlas of Environmental Changes could serve as a fundamental scientific and analytical framework that clearly reflects the dynamics of desertification, land degradation, and water resource conditions in the region.
To preserve biodiversity, it was proposed to develop a Red Data Book for Central Asia under the coordination of the regional office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Tashkent.
To promote the climate agenda and environmental awareness among the younger generation, a commitment was expressed to host the World Youth Climate Forum in Uzbekistan in 2027.
Concluding his speech, the head of Uzbekistan invited those present to participate in the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the World Water Forum, which will be held this year in Samarkand.
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