Uzbekistan invites neighboring countries to join interstate Clean Air consortium

00:35 / 05.06.20261,3454 min

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a congratulatory message to the participants of the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) taking place in Samarkand. In his address, the head of state noted the symbolic significance of the gathering convening on the eve of World Environment Day on June 5, and put forward six major ecological initiatives aimed at transforming environmental management in the region.

Photo: Presidential press service

Uzbekistan invites neighboring countries to join interstate Clean Air consortium

Photo: Presidential press service

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.

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