Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRS), Dr. Umid Abidkhadjaev, participated in the First Meeting of the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Expert Council.

On 2 August 2024, the First Meeting of the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Expert Council took place at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana.

During his presentation, IMRS Director U. Abidkhadjaev proposed cooperation between the two countries in the following four key areas:

1. Implementation of Water-Saving Technologies in the Region: The proposal includes the active introduction of water-saving technologies in agriculture and the establishment of an innovative agro-park for the development and dissemination of drought-resistant crops and varieties across Central Asia.

2. Development of a Unified Regulatory Framework for the Renewable Energy Market: It was suggested to create a Code of Regulatory Rules for the emerging renewable energy market, which would ensure efficient exchange of "clean" energy and optimize energy supply in the region.

3. Regional Program for Climate Disaster Adaptation: A proposal was made to develop a Regional Program to enhance resilience and adaptation to climate-related disasters, including attracting investment in remote rural areas and strengthening local meteorological services.

4. Establishment of a Central Asian Hub for Irrigation Equipment: The proposal includes creating a Central Asian hub for the production of modern irrigation equipment, which would help modernize outdated infrastructure in the region.

The First Meeting of the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Expert Council marked an important step toward strengthening cooperation between the two countries in water resource management and climate change adaptation. The proposed initiatives aim to address the pressing issues of climate change and water scarcity in the region, while also laying a sustainable foundation for the future development of Central Asia.