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

The event was attended by Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Andrea Meza Murillo, Executive Secretary of the UNECE, Tatyana Molchan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Asad Majeed Khan, Vice President of the Europe and Central Asia Region at the World Bank, Antonella Bassani, heads of international organizations and others.

The session was organized to pay attention to the problems of land degradation faced by Central Asia and the Caucasus in the context of the climate crisis, to which this region is disproportionately exposed. 

In his speech, Aziz Abdukhakimov spoke about the comprehensive reforms carried out by the government of the country aimed at restoring lands and protecting the ecosystem of the Aral Sea region, sustainable management of water resources, development of scientific research, and also noted the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to establish an International Center for Assessing Climate Losses and Damage.

"This center will contribute to the analysis and financial assessment of climate risks, becoming an essential element of the implementation of adaptation strategies in our region and beyond", said the minister. 

In turn, T. Molchan supported the initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in the field of climate change, especially noting the implementation of the national greening project of the republic, "Green Space".

Speaking about the Central Asian region, A. Bassani highlighted the efforts of Uzbekistan. The Vice President of the World Bank thanked President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his attention and efforts to address climate change issues. She also expressed readiness to support Uzbekistan's initiatives in this area.

Participants noted that without regional and global action to combat desertification, adaptation and mitigation efforts at both levels would be significantly hampered. By including land degradation within the framework of the UNFCCC, the discussions will form a platform for dialogue and coordination among the affected States. Solidarity and cooperation within and outside the region will be the only way to meet this challenge.