Agency for increasing forests and green areas and combating desertification

The Summit brought together heads of state and government from more than 90 countries, as well as leaders of major international organisations and financial institutions.

In his address, the President reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to global efforts to combat climate change and noted that the country is shaping a new development model based on the rational use of natural resources and the adoption of green technologies.

The key priorities of Uzbekistan’s climate policy remain reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy, ensuring the sustainable use of water resources and restoring ecosystems.

As the President noted, Uzbekistan has achieved its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35 per cent ahead of schedule. A new target has since been set to reduce this indicator by 50 per cent by 2035.

Particular attention is being paid to the development of renewable energy. Within the next four years, the share of electricity generated from renewable sources in Uzbekistan is expected to reach 54 per cent.

The President also placed particular emphasis on water security. Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted that over the past decade, the water intensity of the economy has nearly halved, while total water withdrawals have decreased by one-fifth. Water-saving technologies have already been introduced across more than 60 per cent of irrigated land.

The President also announced that Uzbekistan will assume the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) next year. The country intends to fulfil this important responsibility at the highest level, particularly in advancing cooperation on the management of transboundary river basins.

Other priority areas identified included the restoration of degraded land, the expansion of forest plantations and the improvement of waste management systems. In particular, the area covered by forest plantations in the country has increased by six million hectares, one-third of which is located in the Aral Sea region. Under the Waste Management Strategy, more than USD 3 billion in investment is expected to be mobilised.

The Head of State also addressed the importance of environmental education and raising awareness among younger generations.

“Young people are at the heart of our policies. There is a saying among our people: ‘If you want a tree to bear fruit, take care of it while it is still a sapling.’ That is why environmental education in our country begins in the family, the mahalla and at school. From an early age, we teach children to conserve water, care for trees and keep their shared surroundings clean,” the President said.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that one in every five residents of Uzbekistan is a school or university student. Thanks to a systematic approach, three-quarters of the country’s population are expected to receive nature-oriented education by 2050.

The regional climate agenda featured prominently in the President’s address. He stressed that no country can tackle climate challenges on its own. Central Asia is facing growing threats associated with glacier retreat, water scarcity and extreme droughts. These shared challenges require a coordinated response and closer cooperation among the countries of the region.

In this regard, Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward an initiative to develop a Climate Integration Model in Central Asia, proposing that cooperation begin across three key areas.

The first is information cooperation. With the support of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it is proposed to begin establishing an infrastructure for sharing information on climate risks. At the initial stage, the focus will be on setting up an early warning system to enable a prompt response to natural disasters. The next step will involve developing indicators and mechanisms for the joint monitoring of slowly developing natural hazards.

The second is technological cooperation. The President emphasised the importance of introducing nature-inspired technologies that contribute to soil restoration, carbon sequestration in arid areas and efforts to combat dust and sand storms.

In this context, the President highlighted the importance of the annual Eco Expo exhibition, which provides a platform for exchanging best practices and showcasing promising innovations. Uzbekistan intends to transform the exhibition into a permanent investment and technology platform for promoting modern environmental solutions tailored to the specific conditions of the region.

The third is financial cooperation. As the Head of State noted, Central Asia needs adequate and predictable climate finance that takes into account the region’s specific characteristics and the needs of its countries.

In this regard, he proposed working together with development banks and dedicated funds to develop new support instruments, including concessional grants and blue and arid finance mechanisms.

Concluding his address, the President of Uzbekistan called on the participating countries and international organisations to support the Climate Integration Model initiative and translate it into concrete practical action.

“We propose applying this vital model in all regions of the world that are interested in it. After all, creating decent conditions for future generations to enjoy a prosperous life and preserving our planet is a shared responsibility of all humanity,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised.