The meeting was attended by delegations from the ECO member states, the leadership of the Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization, as well as representatives of international partner organizations. Opening the session, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Climate Change, noted that the current gathering holds special significance: "Today's meeting is of particular importance. For the first time in the last 12 years, the environment ministers of the ECO member states have convened to develop coordinated approaches to tackling contemporary environmental challenges."

A. Abdukhakimov emphasized that strengthening practical cooperation among the countries of the region is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in promoting joint environmental initiatives and sharing knowledge and best practices. It was noted that the documents submitted for consideration, the ECO Framework Programme for Environmental Cooperation for 2026–2030, the work programmes on climate and biodiversity, and the Samarkand Declaration, will serve as a crucial foundation for a new phase of regional environmental partnership.

During the session, participants discussed the national priorities of the ECO member states in the fields of environmental protection, climate change, sustainable nature management, and the prevention of land degradation. Special attention was devoted to combating desertification, developing scientific and technical cooperation, sustainable forest management, as well as the prevention of sand and dust storms.

Speaking at the ministerial session, the Uzbek side presented key initiatives to strengthen regional environmental interaction. It was underscored that under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country has been consistently promoting the principles of mutual trust, regional cooperation, and the collaborative resolution of  shared environmental problems.

Particular focus was placed on Uzbekistan's initiatives to combat land degradation and desertification. Specifically, the activities of the Research Institute for Combating Desertification and Desert Economy under Green University were highlighted, along with Uzbekistan's readiness to expand collaboration with ECO countries in scientific research, technology exchange, and the implementation of joint pilot projects.

Furthermore, an initiative was presented to the participants to develop a transboundary "Green Programme" for ECO member states for the 2026–2030 period, aimed at afforestation in desert territories. The Uzbek side also proposed the development of a regional early warning system for sand and dust storms under the ECO High-Level Platform on Environmental Cooperation.

Following the meeting, the participants approved the ECO Framework Programme for Environmental Cooperation for 2026–2030 and its thematic annexes, including the work programmes on climate change and biodiversity. The Samarkand Declaration on Regional Environmental Cooperation was also officially adopted.