The event brought together representatives of leading universities and research institutions from Uzbekistan and Türkiye to discuss climate change adaptation, joint scientific research, the introduction of advanced technologies and the exchange of scientific data.

During the event, Doniyor Turgunov, Director of the Hydrometeorological Research Institute (HMRI), which operates under the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, outlined the Institute’s research capacity, including its seven scientific laboratories and research sites in Kumbel, Chimgan, Aranchi and Shahrisabz. He also presented the ongoing research into the Barqrak and Pakhtakor glaciers.

The Institute’s researchers also presented their developments in improving precipitation forecast accuracy, forecasting electricity generation at solar power plants, and monitoring water quality and environmental conditions.

In particular, between 2023 and 2025, forecasts from four global models — ECMWF, ICON, GFS and JMA — were evaluated using data from 67 meteorological stations. A two-stage correction method was developed to address the overestimation of precipitation. As a result, the discrepancy indicator decreased from 7.24 to 1.05. This work led to the development of an operational online portal providing three-day precipitation forecasts. Participants were also informed that a platform is already operational for forecasting electricity generation at 42 solar power plants up to four days in advance.

The discussions also explored opportunities to expand cooperation between research institutions in the two countries in several areas, including glacier and snow-cover monitoring, air quality and dust storm research, weather forecasting, early warning of hazardous hydrological events, and renewable energy.

It was noted that cooperation between the Hydrometeorological Research Institute, the National Research Institute of Renewable Energy Sources under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy, and Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is already underway. The partners are working to develop a hybrid model for short-term forecasting of solar and wind power generation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants proposed establishing a joint working group to prepare a memorandum of understanding between the Hydrometeorological Research Institute and Istanbul Technical University (ITU), implement joint scientific projects, organise field research, and launch exchange programmes for researchers and students.

This cooperation is expected to contribute to the science-based assessment of climate change impacts, the improvement of adaptation measures and the pooling of the scientific expertise of the two countries.