Uzbekistan Puts Forward Three International Biodiversity Initiatives
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has put forward three international initiatives to protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems at the Leaders for Nature summit in Yerevan. The country’s delegation to the event, held alongside the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), was led by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Presidential Adviser on Ecology and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.
The summit focused on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, preparing its first global review, mobilizing funding and strengthening international cooperation. One of the framework’s key targets is to ensure the effective conservation and management of at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas by 2030.
Abdukhakimov presented the results of Uzbekistan’s environmental reforms. The share of protected natural areas has increased from 4% in 2016 to approximately 15%. Under the Bio Meros programme, the country aims to raise this figure to 20% by 2030 and 30% by 2035. Other measures include establishing an Eco-Police, strengthening state environmental oversight and increasing fines for violations of environmental legislation by 40%.
According to the committee, spending on biodiversity conservation has more than tripled over the past four years, reaching $1 billion. Uzbekistan’s priorities include restoring degraded ecosystems, digital monitoring, protecting rare species and safeguarding transboundary natural areas.
The first initiative proposes an International Hub for Dryland Ecosystems to support scientific research, restore degraded land and conserve desert biodiversity, including in the Aral Sea region.
The second initiative envisages establishing a Central Asian and Caucasus School of Artificial Intelligence for Nature Conservation at Green University and launching the AI-Ranger programme. The project would train specialists to use artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring and unmanned technologies to detect poaching, illegal logging and wildfires.
The third initiative proposes creating a Central Asian Network of Transboundary Protected Areas by 2030, identifying five priority landscapes. The network would coordinate ecosystem restoration, protect migration corridors and conserve endangered species, including the saiga antelope and snow leopard.
The initiatives are intended to strengthen regional cooperation and attract international funding and advanced technologies to support biodiversity conservation.
Abdukhakimov presented the results of Uzbekistan’s environmental reforms. The share of protected natural areas has increased from 4% in 2016 to approximately 15%. Under the Bio Meros programme, the country aims to raise this figure to 20% by 2030 and 30% by 2035. Other measures include establishing an Eco-Police, strengthening state environmental oversight and increasing fines for violations of environmental legislation by 40%.
According to the committee, spending on biodiversity conservation has more than tripled over the past four years, reaching $1 billion. Uzbekistan’s priorities include restoring degraded ecosystems, digital monitoring, protecting rare species and safeguarding transboundary natural areas.
The first initiative proposes an International Hub for Dryland Ecosystems to support scientific research, restore degraded land and conserve desert biodiversity, including in the Aral Sea region.
The second initiative envisages establishing a Central Asian and Caucasus School of Artificial Intelligence for Nature Conservation at Green University and launching the AI-Ranger programme. The project would train specialists to use artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring and unmanned technologies to detect poaching, illegal logging and wildfires.
The third initiative proposes creating a Central Asian Network of Transboundary Protected Areas by 2030, identifying five priority landscapes. The network would coordinate ecosystem restoration, protect migration corridors and conserve endangered species, including the saiga antelope and snow leopard.
The initiatives are intended to strengthen regional cooperation and attract international funding and advanced technologies to support biodiversity conservation.
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