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

UNEA-7 brought together more than 6,000 participants from 186 countries and focused on identifying solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution, and waste. The Assembly was held under the theme “Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet,” emphasizing the need to restore balance between humanity and nature and to strengthen collective responsibility in addressing global environmental challenges.

During the High-Level Segment, Uzbekistan delivered a national statement highlighting the growing environmental risks faced by Central Asia. It was noted that more than 20 percent of the region’s land is currently degraded, while glacier loss has reached approximately 30 percent over recent decades, posing serious threats to water security and sustainable development. In this context, Uzbekistan underscored the urgency of scaling up regional and global cooperation to address interconnected environmental challenges.

The Uzbek side emphasized that, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country is consistently pursuing a course toward sustainable “green” transformation. In 2025, declared the Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy, a Presidential Decree was adopted to strengthen environmental governance. As part of these reforms, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and the State Environmental Police were established with expanded mandates to enhance environmental oversight and combat environmental violations. Key national priorities include the expansion of renewable energy capacity, large-scale afforestation initiatives, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the development of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) as a regional hub for environmental education and research.

Uzbekistan also highlighted its growing role in international environmental diplomacy, noting the successful hosting of the 20th Conference of the Parties to the CITES Convention (CITES CoP20) in Samarkand, which brought together more than 3,000 delegates from 180 countries and resulted in the adoption of significant decisions on wildlife conservation. Holding the presidencies of both CITES and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), Uzbekistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing practical and results-oriented initiatives, including the implementation of the Samarkand Action Plan on Combating Wildlife Crime in Central Asia.

On the margins of UNEA-7, the Uzbek delegation actively participated in thematic side events and held a series of bilateral meetings with senior representatives of UNEP, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), multilateral environmental conventions, and partner countries. Discussions focused on expanding project cooperation, mobilizing environmental financing, improving air quality, managing chemicals and waste, and strengthening biodiversity conservation. Particular attention was given to ensuring equitable access to climate and environmental finance for developing countries and regions most vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Uzbekistan informed partners that it will host the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the international exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 in Samarkand from 31 May to 6 June 2026. These events are expected to serve as a major international platform for advancing dialogue on sustainable development, environmental financing, and the exchange of innovative solutions for climate resilience and nature conservation.
Uzbekistan’s participation in UNEA-7 reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening multilateral environmental cooperation and to playing an active role in shaping the future global environmental agenda based on sustainability, inclusiveness, and shared responsibility.