It should be noted that the Earth is already “speaking” to us — temperatures are reaching record highs, wildfires are becoming increasingly widespread, storms are intensifying, and glaciers are disappearing before our eyes. For many years, experts have stressed that limiting global warming to 1.5°C is essential to avoid the most severe consequences of climate change. Today, that threshold is dangerously close, and even a fraction of a degree matters.

Recognizing the urgency of climate-related challenges, Uzbekistan has put forward a number of initiatives in this area. In particular, the issue occupies an important place on the agenda of the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), currently being held in Samarkand. In his message to the participants of the Assembly, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the initiative to establish a National Center for Climate Change and Hydrometeorology aimed at developing effective solutions to address the negative impacts of climate change. In addition, several proposals were presented in the field of environmental protection.

According to the United Nations, if timely measures are not taken, the number of people exposed to air pollution above safe levels will increase by 50 percent over the next decade, while the volume of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems is expected to nearly triple by 2040. Addressing these urgent challenges requires immediate and effective action.

World Environment Day is the largest global platform for raising environmental awareness. It has been celebrated annually on June 5 since 1973 under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Every year, tens of millions of people around the world participate in various events, initiatives, and campaigns, both online and in person.