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

As part of the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, the first meeting of the High-Level Dialogue Platform on Environmental Protection of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held. The meeting marked the official launch of the Platform as a structured and inclusive mechanism aimed at strengthening regional environmental cooperation.

The dialogue was attended by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change; Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nysanbayev; Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic Akyil Toktobayev; Chairperson of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Bahodur Sheralizoda; Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan Ovezgeldi Goshjanov; Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Asad M. Khan; as well as representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In his remarks, Aziz Abdukhakimov called for moving from discussions to practical action. He noted that the initiative to establish the High-Level Dialogue Platform on Environmental Protection within the ECO framework was proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the 15th ECO Summit. He also proposed establishing a regional environmental monitoring system for air quality and environmental conditions, as well as launching an early warning mechanism for environmental risks.

The meeting highlighted that the ECO region is facing a complex set of interconnected and predominantly transboundary environmental challenges. These include increasing air, soil, and water pollution, accelerating biodiversity loss, land degradation and desertification, as well as the growing impacts of climate change. These processes pose serious risks to public health, ecosystem resilience, and the long-term socio-economic development of countries in the region.

In this regard, participants emphasized the need to strengthen regional dialogue, coordination, and joint action. The Platform is intended to serve as a permanent forum for strategic engagement, exchange of experience, and the development of coordinated solutions.

Furthermore, the Uzbek side invited participants to continue the dialogue at the ministerial meeting to be held on 3 June in Samarkand within the framework of the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility.