Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Within the framework of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov met with Hela Cheikhrouhou , Vice President of the International Financial Organization (IFC) for the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

During the negotiations, the potential of using geothermal energy was noted to minimize the consumption of electricity and natural gas, as well as resistance to the transition to a new energy consumption model in the long term.

Considering the topic’s relevance, the Uzbek side proposed, together with leading IFC experts, to study the energy supply project for New Tashkent.

At the same time, to create a favorable environment in the republic, the foreign side was invited to consider the possibility of "green" financing to subsidize industrial enterprises in the first and second categories of environmental impact.

In addition, the parties discussed the possibility of developing a joint project proposal to mitigate the effects of climate change through the rational use of water resources for further submission to the Green Climate Fund.

The organization’s representatives noted the importance of implementing investment projects without harming the environment. They expressed their readiness to assist in the creation of a new protected natural area in the Navoi region.

Also during the meeting, the undisclosed potential for the development of ecotourism in the mountainous areas of Uzbekistan was emphasized, and issues on the construction of cable cars (teleferik) on the mountain peaks of the country (in Kashkadarya, Jizzakh, and Namangan regions) were discussed.

In turn, the Vice President expressed interest and willingness to study the technical and economic calculations of the construction project.

Following the meeting, H.Cheikhrouhou expressed readiness to involve the necessary experts on these issues and organize expert meetings between the departments for further development of cooperation.