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

The forum brought together delegations from UN Member States, ministers, heads of relevant agencies and international organizations, as well as executive secretaries of environmental conventions. Discussions focused on key priorities of global forest policy, including the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests, preparations for the Global Forest Report 2026 and the integration of the forest sector into the climate and water agenda.

Speaking at the opening session, Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized the critical role of forests in combating desertification and climate change, with particular reference to the tragedy of the Aral Sea, whose dried seabed has transformed into the Aralkum Desert. It was noted that, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, more than one billion trees have been planted nationwide over the past five years under the nationwide “Yashil Makon” initiative, while the country’s green coverage has increased from 8 to 14 percent. Uzbekistan aims to raise this figure to 30 percent by 2030.

Special attention at the forum was devoted to the joint initiative of Uzbekistan and the Republic of the Congo to declare 2027–2036 the “Decade of Action for Afforestation and Reforestation” under the auspices of the United Nations. Proposed practical measures included the development of a Global Roadmap on Afforestation, the expansion of international cooperation in combating desertification, the promotion of drought-resistant plant species and the establishment of early warning systems for dust and sand storms.

In addition, the regional “Green Shield” initiative of the Central Asian countries was presented. The initiative envisages the creation of transboundary forests covering 1.5 million hectares by 2035.

On the sidelines of the forum, Uzbekistan also organized a special side event jointly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The event focused on promoting nature-based solutions for forest restoration, water security, and climate resilience.

During the side event, international partners were presented with the practical outcomes of Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms in greening, forest reclamation, and the restoration of degraded lands. Particular attention was paid to the large-scale implementation of the “Yashil Makon” initiative, the expansion of forest plantations on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea and the introduction of modern climate adaptation mechanisms.

It was emphasized that the national programmes “Yashil Makon,” “Bioheritage,” “Clean Air,” “Waste-Free Territory” and “Eco-Culture,” implemented at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, are aimed at restoring degraded lands, combating desertification, expanding urban greening, preserving biodiversity and strengthening the country’s climate resilience.