Environmental safety, environmental protection, and combating climate change are among the most pressing challenges facing the international community today. Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan in these areas is steadily developing and reaching a qualitatively new level.

KEI Global Environment Forum 2024 – Online Dialogue for Global Goals

In September 2024, as part of the partnership between the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) and the Center for State Environmental Expertise under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the KEI Global Environment Forum 2024 was held.

The forum was conducted online (via the ZOOM platform) and focused on the following key topics:

•  development of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) systems;
•  innovative solutions in the fight against climate change;
•  enhancing public participation;
•  implementation of advanced Korean experience into Uzbek practice.

November Meetings: Scientific and Practical Dialogue in Tashkent

From November 3–7, 2024, a KEI delegation visited Tashkent, where they held a series of meetings dedicated to environmental expertise, monitoring, digitalization, and public involvement in environmentally significant decision-making. Experts also familiarized themselves with testing laboratories, the legal framework, and sectoral infrastructure.

Key discussion topics included:

•  legal and institutional mechanisms of EIA and SEA;
•  ensuring citizen participation within the framework of the Aarhus Convention;
•  Korea’s successful experience in reducing its carbon footprint;
•  integration of digital technologies for environmental safety.

Cooperation in Science and Education: The Example of Green University

The KEI delegation also visited the Central Asian University for the Environment and Climate Change (Green University). During the visit, agreements were reached on:

•  conducting joint scientific research;
•  launching joint educational programs;
•  facilitating exchange of experiences between students and professionals.

Korean experts highly appreciated the university’s potential and emphasized the importance of further deepening cooperation.

 A Landmark Event in 2025 — Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

From March 24–29, 2025, a delegation from Uzbekistan paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between KEI and the Center for State Environmental Expertise, outlining cooperation in the following areas:

•  improving EIA and SEA systems;
•  expanding public participation;
•  aligning national legislation with international standards;
•  implementing pilot projects to reduce the carbon footprint;
•  attracting grants and technologies through KOICA;
•  organizing staff training seminars.

Concrete Steps Toward the Future

As part of their visit to Seoul and Sejong, the Uzbekistan delegation also visited:

•  a bioresource recycling center;
•  the “Happy City” center in Sejong;
•  the “Milmaru” Environmental Observatory.

As a result of the visit, concrete steps were agreed upon to launch a new phase of environmental partnership.