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

During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in environmental protection, the restoration of degraded lands and adaptation to climate change.

Uzbekistan and Mongolia face a number of similar environmental challenges, including desertification, rangeland degradation, droughts, and increasingly frequent and intense sand and dust storms, all of which affect ecosystems, agriculture and people’s living conditions.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to jointly develop the "Aral–Gobi Partnership for Dryland Ecosystem Restoration and Sand and Dust Storm Reduction". The first stage will focus on identifying pilot areas in Uzbekistan and Mongolia, assessing priority areas for action and preparing specific project proposals. Particular attention will be given to the restoration of degraded lands and rangelands, reducing the risks associated with sand and dust storms and implementing practical solutions for sustainable land management.

Uzbekistan and Mongolia also intend to jointly develop project proposals and mobilise international financing. This work will be carried out, in particular, by leveraging opportunities offered by the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the World Bank and other international financing mechanisms.

Mongolia’s presidency of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) provides particular opportunities to advance these joint initiatives.

Another area of cooperation will be the establishment of the Central Asia and Mongolia Land Project Preparation Facility (CA+M Land PPF). The proposed mechanism is intended to serve as a practical instrument for developing investment-ready land restoration projects, supporting the entire project preparation process — from identifying priority areas and developing project concepts to preparing the project documentation required to secure international financing.