Uzbekistan invites neighboring countries to join interstate Clean Air consortium

The president emphasized that humanity currently faces unprecedented crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. He praised the GEF for its pivotal role in addressing these global challenges, highlighting that the platform, which unites 186 countries, has mobilized more than $170 billion for environmental projects to date.

The first initiative presented by the president proposes declaring Samarkand the "Green Investment and Innovation Capital of Central Asia." The objective is to transform the historic city into a regional hub for the green economy, sustainable development, and climate finance, establishing it as a pilot green zone before expanding the model to other cities across Uzbekistan.

Second, building upon Samarkand's legacy as a historical center of science established 600 years ago by Mirzo Ulugbek, the country is establishing the Ulugbek Research Institute for Sustainable Development. Operating under the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies, this institute is being created in cooperation with the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. It will serve as a leading scientific and analytical platform to drive the green transformation of regions and economic sectors while attracting international research centers and financial institutions. Its strategic management will be overseen by a Board of Trustees under the president.

Third, the National Center for Climate Change and Hydrometeorology is being established to formulate effective solutions against the negative impacts of climate change. The center will integrate hydrometeorology, early warning systems, glaciology, climate impact assessment, and greenhouse gas monitoring. This will build an institutional framework for climate forecasting, modeling, adaptation programs, regional cooperation, and active participation in the WMO GAW and NASA AERONET programs.

Fourth, following a recent agreement with the president of Kazakhstan to establish the Clean Air interstate consortium, President Mirziyoyev invited all countries in the region to join the initiative. The consortium will focus on attracting green finance, executing forest reclamation projects, conducting scientific research, modernizing industries ecologically, and strengthening environmental monitoring and control.

Fifth, the president proposed a "desert economy" initiative based at the Institute for Combating Desertification. This project will focus on mitigating the consequences of desertification in the Aral Sea region, creating green shields, and advancing climate adaptation. The initiative is intended to align with the GEF's priority areas and rely on international financial and technical assistance.

Finally, the Tashkent Investment Forum in 2027 will be dedicated to the theme of "Sustainable Development and Green Investments" and will feature the Eco Expo Central Asia international exhibition. For this forum, each region of Uzbekistan will prepare and present at least 100 promising projects designed to attract green investments from international investors.

Concluding his address, the president announced that Uzbekistan is ready to join the ranks of donor countries for the Global Environment Facility. As a member of the GEF Council, the country aims to provide practical support for joint regional initiatives and significantly expand international cooperation.