National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

During the discussions, appreciation was expressed to ICBA for its many years of cooperation with Uzbekistan and its high level of technical expertise in dryland agriculture, as well as in the development of salt-tolerant crop varieties. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi and ICBA’s extensive international experience in supporting climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that the Republic of Karakalpakstan is among the most vulnerable regions of the country due to desertification, soil salinization, water scarcity and the consequences of the drying of the Aral Sea. In this context, the restoration of degraded lands and the strengthening of local food systems have been identified by the Government of Uzbekistan as key national priorities. The central objective of the joint efforts was defined as the establishment of sustainable agricultural production systems in the degraded areas of Karakalpakstan.

In support of this objective, the project “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan,” financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is being implemented. As a result of the project, more than 1,500 farmers in seven districts have received training, and seeds of 12 tested agricultural crops adapted to saline and arid conditions have been distributed. In 2025, an integrated agro-aquaculture system (IAAS) with a total cost of 1.97 billion Uzbek sums was established under the project. The facility was officially launched in September of the current year during the visit of the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi.

The meeting also featured a presentation of key areas of ongoing national environmental reforms. In particular, it was noted that, by a Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Ecology was transformed into the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and the position of Adviser to the President on Environmental Issues was introduced. These institutional reforms reflect the country’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance, enhancing the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms, and accelerating measures for biodiversity conservation.

Special attention was given to the establishment of the Central Asian Center for Ecology and Environmental Research. The Center’s mandate includes the development of a digital database on the ecology of arid regions, forecasting environmental changes under conditions of desertification and soil salinization, and the formulation of scientifically grounded strategies for natural resource management, as well as water and agricultural policy.

In conclusion, the Uzbek side informed the participants that Uzbekistan will host the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the international exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia–2026, to be held from 30 May to 6 June 2026, and invited ICBA’s leadership to take part in these events, including in shaping solutions related to environmental financing.

At the end of the meeting, an ознакомительная tour was organized for the members of the foreign delegation at the newly established Central Asian Center for Ecology and Environmental Research. The guests were introduced to the Center’s main areas of activity, its research infrastructure, as well as plans for the development of a regional digital environmental data platform and the expansion of applied research in the field of sustainable natural resource management.