Agency for Increasing Forests and Green Areas and Combating Desertification

The event was attended by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and Chairman of the Ecology Committee, Erkin Mukhiddinov, Director of the Forestry Agency, Ismail Belen, Chair of the UN Forum on Forests, Juliette Biao, Director of the Secretariat of the UN Forum on Forests, FAO representatives, international experts, officials of the Ecology Committee and the Forestry Agency, representatives of system organizations, heads of regional forestry enterprises, and members of the mass media.

Opening the forum with his introductory speech, Aziz Abdukhakimov provided information about the work being carried out, on the initiative of the head of state, to eliminate environmental problems, prevent climate change, systematically combat desertification, and create and restore forests.

“Every minute, 9 square meters of land in the country are being degraded. In order to combat such threats, nationwide projects such as ‘Waste-Free Territory,’ ‘Clean Air,’ ‘Green Space,’ ‘Eco-Culture,’ and ‘Bio Heritage’ are being implemented to ensure environmental sustainability, expand and preserve forests, and conserve and develop biodiversity. New approaches must be introduced in the development of the forestry sector. In particular, in our region it is necessary to carry out continuous measures to prevent environmental problems and reduce their negative impact in the dried bed of the Aral Sea and adjacent areas,” he said.

Aziz Abdukhakimov also elaborated on “Green University” and the recently established Central Asian Center for Environmental Research. In particular, it was noted that the center will become the first scientific hub in Central Asia for desertification management, where a digital database on arid ecosystems will be created, environmental changes under conditions of desertification and salinization will be forecasted, and innovative strategies for the development of desert economies will be developed.

Ismail Belen emphasized the need to expand green areas in Uzbekistan and attract more investment for this purpose.

“The ‘Green Space’ initiative, implemented under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is extremely important. In the near future, it is planned to increase forest coverage from 10 percent to 15 percent. Uzbekistan has great potential to implement this initiative. Significant work is also being carried out to increase greenery in the Aral Sea region,” he said. “Looking at history, your country has been a leader in Central Asia in many initiatives. I am confident that if these programs continue, Uzbekistan will become a leader of ‘Green Central Asia’.”

Juliette Biao подчеркнула, что Uzbekistan is currently demonstrating strong initiative in the field of green economy and environmental sustainability.

“This is especially evident in increasing greenery, restoring degraded lands, and combating desertification,” she said. “The preservation and expansion of forests today play an important role in addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and threats to ecological stability. Uzbekistan is drawing global attention to these issues. We appreciate these efforts and are ready to support countries, including Uzbekistan.”

Speaking at the event, Erkin Mukhiddinov, Director of the Forestry Agency, sincerely congratulated the participants on World Forest Day.

“This professional holiday, celebrated every year in March, calls on the global community to protect nature and expand forest areas. Indeed, at a time when desertification is increasing, water scarcity is growing, and land degradation is intensifying, the significance of this date becomes even more evident,” he said. “In recent years, on the direct initiative of the head of state, special attention has been paid to the development of seed production and nurseries based on the ‘science–project–practice’ chain, as well as to forest creation. In particular, 18 forestry enterprises have been specialized in nursery development using modern solutions. Four new forestry enterprises have been established. More than 300 units of new specialized equipment have been supplied to forestry enterprises. Together with Chinese partners, plantations of salt-resistant halophyte plants have been established.”

During the event, particular attention was paid to topics such as “Green Investments: Regional Cooperation in Central Asia,” “Legal Framework for Forestry Regulation,” and “Transboundary Cooperation and Sustainable Forest Use in Central Asia,” among others.

In addition, a group of dedicated professionals in the field was awarded with the badges “Devotee of Forestry of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and commemorative medals marking the “85th Anniversary of the Russian Forest Protection Center.”

At the end of the event, tree seedlings were planted in the “Dendrology Garden” being established in the Tashkent region.