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

The parties discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in land and forest restoration, the sustainable management of water and land resources, soil protection, the development of green cities, combating desertification, climate finance and chemical safety.

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with FAO currently includes more than 10 projects, with total grant funding exceeding US$33 million. These include a €3.9 million FAO–EU project on the sound management of hazardous chemicals. Tashkent and Samarkand have also joined the FAO Green Cities Network.

Aziz Abduhakimov stressed the need to move from political initiatives and agreements to concrete projects with clear timelines, financing sources and measurable results.
Particular attention was given to the “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative, aimed at establishing a regional system of protective forest belts and green barriers to address land degradation, desertification and sand and dust storms. With FAO’s support, the Uzbek side proposed moving towards the development of a concrete regional project, including the identification of priority areas, performance indicators and financing mechanisms.

The meeting also covered the development of the Regional Research Institute for Combating Desertification and Developing Desert Economies at Green University, preparations for the UN Decade on Afforestation and Reforestation 2027–2036 and the further development of the Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) regional programme.

To strengthen regional coordination, the parties proposed considering the establishment of a CAWLN Programme Office in Tashkent at Green University.

Particular attention was also given to developing Samarkand as a pilot green and sustainable city in Central Asia. Discussions included the establishment of microforests and small botanical gardens in mahallas, water-efficient urban greening, mulching and other nature-based solutions that could subsequently be scaled up in other cities across Uzbekistan and the region.
Qu Dongyu shared China’s experience in forest restoration, combating land degradation and improving the efficient use of water resources. China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region’s experience in restoring arid areas was of particular interest to Uzbekistan and Central Asia. The FAO Director-General also emphasised the importance of maintaining healthy and fertile soils as a foundation for sustainable agriculture and the restoration of degraded land.

The meeting also addressed workforce development for the green transition, the safe management of pesticides and chemicals, and the preparation of a major climate project in Karakalpakstan.

The parties agreed to continue developing a new project pipeline to mobilise international climate finance, including funding from the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility and other financing mechanisms.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Uzbek side invited the FAO Director-General to participate in Eco Expo Central Asia 2027, which will be held in Tashkent as part of the Tashkent International Investment Forum. The Uzbek side also proposed considering the establishment of an FAO pavilion to showcase advanced solutions and joint projects in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to accelerating the transition from initiatives to concrete projects in land and forest restoration, the sustainable management of water and soil resources, combating desertification, developing green cities and restoring ecosystems in the Aral Sea region.