Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 29 September, the summit in the “Central Asia - Germany” format was held for the first time in Berlin, in which the heads of state of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany took part.

During the event, the parties discussed in constructive spirit issues of strengthening interaction between the countries of the region and Germany in a number of areas. At the same time, special attention was paid to expanding cooperation in the field of green energy and adaptation to climate change.

Germany is one of the leading countries in taking measures to introduce green technologies. According to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), the country has performed relatively well over the past few years. Thus, since 2019, Germany has risen by 9 points - from 27th to 16th place this year.

The CCPI rating is a rating system developed by the German organization for environmental protection and development “Germanwatch” (Bonn) with the aim of increasing the transparency of international climate policy.

And as the leader of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted during the negotiations, Berlin has achieved significant success in the implementation of renewable energy sources (RES). Today, renewable energy sources produce about 50% of Germany’s electricity, and German “green” technologies are considered the highest quality in development and use. In this regard, Tashkent intends to adopt Germany’s experience in this direction.

In turn, Germany views Central Asia and Uzbekistan, in particular, as a promising investment market and actively supports the trend of transition to a “green” economy. For example, as noted in the Joint Statement following the summit, the German side welcomed the adoption of the regional program “Green Agenda for Central Asia” initiated by our country and expressed its readiness to support its practical implementation.

An agreement was also reached on the creation of a Strategic Regional Partnership between Germany and Central Asia, which will focus incl. in areas such as energy, natural resources, sustainability and the environment.

Moreover, German Chancellor O. Scholz proposed organizing a partnership with donor participation for Central Asia on the basis of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is emphasized that as part of this process, regional projects on sustainable management of water and land resources, energy cooperation and glacier conservation will be implemented.

It is noteworthy that the current proposals of the German side are a logical continuation of its political and practical dialogue with the Central Asian countries on climate and environmental issues. For example, Berlin, together with international partners - the UN, CAREC, the World Bank, ADB, etc., has implemented a number of projects within the framework of such initiatives as the “Water Initiative for Central Asia” (2008), “Transboundary water resources management in Central Asia” (2009), "Green Central Asia" (2020). According to various sources, the amount of grant funds allocated by the German ministries for the implementation of regional projects amounts to 170 million euros.

These programs are aimed, on the one hand, at improving the coordination of Germany’s “green” activities in the Central Asian region; on the other hand, to strengthen transboundary cooperation on the effects of climate change, water and energy resource management in Central Asia.

Thus, the past first summit “Central Asia - Germany” once again confirmed the growing interest in the Central Asian region as an integral consolidated player on the part of external partners. Moreover, the agreements reached as a result indicate the presence of common interests that will contribute to the further strengthening and expansion of interaction in this format.

Lobar Umarova,

Chief Researcher, 

ISMI under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan