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

The GEF Assembly will bring together representatives of more than 180 countries, international organisations, financial institutions, the scientific community and civil society. At the heart of the discussions will be issues related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, combating land degradation, the rational use of water resources and the transition to a green economy. For Uzbekistan, this is not only an opportunity to showcase the results it has achieved, but also a platform for building new strategic partnerships.

Hosting the Assembly in Samarkand will reinforce the country’s international standing as an active participant in global environmental policy. In recent years, Uzbekistan has consistently advanced initiatives on restoring the ecosystems of the Aral Sea region, large-scale greening of the dried seabed, developing renewable energy and adapting to climate change. The Assembly will make it possible to present these achievements to a broad international audience and to attract additional support.

One of the key benefits will be expanded access to financial resources. The GEF is one of the world’s largest donors for environmental projects, and hosting its Assembly creates favourable conditions for launching new grant programmes and investment initiatives. This will open up additional opportunities for implementing national projects in the fields of sustainable agriculture, water resources management, and the protection of rare species of flora and fauna.

The practical dimension of enhanced international cooperation is no less important. The Assembly’s programme is expected to include bilateral meetings, the signing of agreements and the development of joint solutions to transboundary environmental challenges. This is particularly relevant for Central Asia, where water, climate and ecosystem conservation issues require coordinated action.

In this way, the VIII GEF Assembly in Samarkand is not merely an international forum, but a strategic opportunity for Uzbekistan to strengthen its role in the global green agenda, attract investment and accelerate the implementation of its national environmental priorities.