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

The sides discussed further strengthening regional cooperation on land restoration, combating desertification and reducing the impacts of sand and dust storms. Particular attention was paid to moving from strategic planning to the implementation and financing of practical projects aimed at restoring land resources and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems across Central Asia. Yasmin Fouad also learned about the environmental reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached, with the support of the UNCCD and its Global Mechanism, to develop a regional portfolio of investment projects. International financial institutions and climate funds, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and other partners, are expected to be engaged in financing these projects. One of the key priorities will be to mobilise financial, technical and expert support for the establishment of a Regional Early Warning Centre for Sand and Dust Storms.

The establishment of such a system will strengthen regional capacities for monitoring and forecasting sand and dust storms, enhance the effectiveness of early warnings for the public and relevant services and help reduce the socio-economic and environmental impacts of these natural phenomena.

During the meeting, the Central Asian Investment Programme was also proposed, aimed at addressing, in an integrated manner, challenges related to dust and salt emissions and land degradation. The programme could bring together projects across three priority areas:
•reducing dust and salt emissions across the region;
•restoring saxaul ecosystems in the Kyzylkum Desert;
•developing a regional early warning system for sand and dust storms.
The programme is expected to be implemented with the support of international financing, technical expertise, and advanced technologies for ecosystem monitoring and restoration.

Yasmin Fouad also highlighted the growing role of Green University as a scientific and educational centre for ecology and sustainable development in Central Asia. In this context, the sides underscored the importance of strengthening scientific capacity, training specialists and developing a modern pool of expertise to address transboundary environmental challenges in the region.

Uzbekistan continues to advocate for enhanced regional cooperation on land degradation, desertification and sand and dust storms. The establishment of a unified portfolio of investment projects will help bring together the efforts of Central Asian countries and international partners and advance the practical implementation of large-scale environmental initiatives. The key objective of this new stage of cooperation is to translate regional environmental priorities into concrete projects with clear financing mechanisms, defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes.