Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov met with Senior Director of the Water Resources and Urban Development Sector of the Asian Development Bank Norio Saito.

At a meeting organized within the framework of the 21st session of the UN Committee to Combat Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought, Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized effective cooperation with the Asian Development Bank.

For information, 17 percent of projects implemented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the regions of Central and Western Asia belong to Uzbekistan. Our country ranks second in the region in terms of this indicator. This year, 25 projects worth about US$3.5 billion have been signed.

During the meeting, such topical issues as integrated development of cities and advanced training of employees in the field of ecology, as well as attracting companies in the field of waste processing from Japan to Uzbekistan were discussed.

In turn, Norio Saito proposed starting the 2nd phase of the “Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management” project for 2025-2026. He also noted that he supports the reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change on the basis of public-private partnership.

At the end of the meeting, Norio Saito, senior director of the water resources and urban development sector of the Asian Development Bank, highly appreciated the work being done in Uzbekistan in the field of ecology, environmental protection, and the fight against drought and hunger. In addition, it was noted that ADB is ready to continue cooperation in this direction.

Mutual cooperation was also supported in terms of attracting leading Japanese waste companies to Uzbekistan, attracting investments and allocating grants from the Asian Development Bank, and improving the skills of employees of the ministry and subordinate organizations.

On 23 December  2022, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with the Ministry of Environment of Japan. According to the memorandum, the parties will establish ongoing cooperation in the field of climate change, water and air pollution, and waste management.