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

The session was attended by Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China Huang Runqiu, Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan Ovezgeldi Goshjanov, First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Mazaripov, Deputy Director of the Forestry Agency under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Davlatli Sharifzoda as well as representatives of international institutions and academia.

Speakers presented national strategies on reforestation, climate adaptation, and sustainable natural resource management, highlighting their countries’ contributions to the regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative. Particular emphasis was placed on establishing an integrated system of protective forest belts, green barriers, and transboundary ecological corridors designed to mitigate dust storms, curb soil degradation and halt the further spread of desertification.

In his remarks, Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that forest restoration and sustainable natural resource management are no longer solely environmental priorities, but strategic imperatives closely linked to sustainable development and the well-being of the region. He also noted that the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring 2027–2036 the Decade of Action on Afforestation and Reforestation underscores the urgency of coordinated efforts at global, regional, and national levels.

Particular attention was given to the Aral Sea crisis, described as one of the most striking examples of environmental disaster and desertification in Central Asia. It was highlighted that large-scale afforestation has already been carried out on 2 million hectares of the dried seabed, with protective vegetation established. Cultural and environmental initiatives are also being developed, including the creation of a Climate Change Museum in Nukus.

In addition, the Central Asian Regional Research Center for Combating Desertification and Developing Desert Economies has been established at Green University in partnership with Chinese and international institutions. The Center is expected to serve as a platform for deploying innovative technologies and promoting a model that combines “Chinese technologies with Central Asian practical solutions.”

Participants also discussed the  concept  of the regional “Green Shield of Central Asia (2026–2035)” system, mechanisms for interstate cooperation, the exchange of best practices in land restoration, and prospects for joint transboundary investment projects. The initiative is envisioned as a long-term platform to strengthen environmental security across the region.

The session concluded with the signing of the “Green Shield of Central Asia” Resolution, reflecting the shared political commitment of participating countries to join forces in building a large-scale system of green barriers aimed at enhancing climate resilience, restoring degraded land and ensuring an environmentally sustainable future for Central Asia.