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

During the videoconference, the parties discussed preparations for participation in the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana. Particular attention was given to coordinating the positions of the two countries on key environmental issues, identifying priority agenda items  and considering possible joint initiatives and statements that could be presented at the upcoming event.

Cooperation in the field of forestry management was discussed as a separate item. The parties reviewed opportunities for exchanging experience in the sustainable management of forest resources, implementing joint projects and programmes and expanding scientific and technical cooperation between the relevant institutions of the two countries.

The draft Memorandum of Cooperation on saiga conservation was also discussed during the meeting. The participants focused on coordinating joint measures to preserve the population of this rare species and identifying the further steps required for the signing of the relevant document.

The parties also exchanged views on air quality issues. In particular, they reviewed the latest monitoring data, the possibilities for carrying out joint scientific research and environmental projects and the prospects for establishing an interstate coalition aimed at improving air quality.

In addition, practical steps for the implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Ecology and Environmental Protection, signed on December 22, 2022, were discussed. Within the framework of this document, the parties considered matters related to the approval of the regulations governing the joint Uzbek-Kazakh commission, as well as the submission of its membership.

During the meeting with Beibut Atamkulov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan, the parties also addressed issues related to the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the context of upcoming international events, including the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the international exhibition Eco Expo 2026, which are scheduled to take place in Samarkand.

The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation on reducing air pollution, including the possible relocation of industrial enterprises and greenhouse facilities, the development of transboundary protected natural areas  and joint measures to conserve the saiga population.

It was noted that the further strengthening of Uzbek-Kazakh cooperation in the environmental sphere would contribute to the effective resolution of shared environmental challenges and to the sustainable development of the region.