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

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for further expanding scientific and practical cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, environmental protection has become one of the country's key public policy priorities. Uzbekistan is currently implementing a number of large-scale national initiatives, including "Yashil Makon" (Green Space), "Clean Air", "Waste-Free Territory', "Bioheritage" and "Eco Culture", as well as the President's initiative to transform Samarkand into the green capital of investment and innovation in Central Asia.

Particular attention was given to further strengthening the strategic partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography. Priority areas of cooperation include the establishment of an Early Warning Centre for Sand and Dust Storms, the development of a network of botanical and halophyte gardens based on Chinese technologies, and the introduction of environmentally sound technologies for natural resource extraction.

Following the meeting, Professor Zhang Yuanming, Director General of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, was awarded the "Defender of Nature" badge in recognition of his contribution to advancing cooperation in land restoration, combating desertification, and preventing dust and sand storms. In turn, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening Uzbek–Chinese scientific cooperation, Aziz Abdukhakimov was conferred the title of "Honorary Professor" of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography.