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

Initiated by the Government of Uzbekistan, the high-level dialogue “Youth: With Optimism into the Future” continued the International Strategy for promoting a culture of sustainable development and engaging youth in the climate agenda, adopted at COP-29.

The event was attended by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, First Deputy Director of the Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan Dilnozakhon Kattakhonova, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision Meder Mashiev, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Environmental Protection Charygeldi Babaniyazov, Climate Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, Head of UNICEF Uzbekistan Regina Maria Castillo, representatives of the Zamin International Public Foundation, and young eco-activists from the participating countries.

During the dialogue, participants discussed the implementation of the International Strategy for advancing sustainable development and involving youth in climate processes — including the creation of sustainable platforms within environmental agencies. Young attendees also proposed the development of a new generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) that reflect youth interests. Additionally, the Digital Green Start-up initiative — a digital platform aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable youth entrepreneurship — was presented.

At the end of the meeting, ministers emphasized the vital role of children and youth in climate action and expressed readiness to establish youth advisory councils under environmental ministries, form youth environmental patrols, and implement other mechanisms to ensure their continuous participation in shaping climate policy.