Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  As part of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-16) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, a report on the current environmental situation in Uzbekistan was presented.

The 16th session of COP is being held from 2 to 13 December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is the largest UN conference dedicated to land issues and the first COP session to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” the event serves as a key platform for accelerating global efforts to restore land and increase resilience to droughts. It brings together representatives from around 100 countries, civil society, and leading experts to unite efforts in combating land degradation, desertification, and droughts, while promoting sustainable development.

During the global conference, a report titled "Sand and Dust Storms in Uzbekistan: Atmospheric Modeling for Understanding Consequences and Mitigating Their Effects" was presented. The research was initiated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The report was prepared by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) as part of the "FOLUR" project.

The report highlights that Uzbekistan faces high concentrations of dust in the atmosphere and sandstorms, which are significant environmental challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. These phenomena worsen air quality and visibility, damage agricultural crops and infrastructure, and create serious health risks, including respiratory problems and reduced quality of life, as noted by Sherzod Umarov, FAO Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan.

Climate change is a critical issue for Uzbekistan, severely affecting key sectors such as agriculture, water resources, public health, and disaster risk management. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of dust storm characteristics in Uzbekistan and proposes measures to mitigate their effects using nature-based solutions. It explores the causes of dust storms and offers scenarios for addressing the issue. The research is based on the advanced atmospheric modeling system RAMS/ICLAMS, which is used to model dust absorption and transport processes and evaluate the impact of vegetation cover. This system provides valuable information on the complex interactions between dust sources, vegetation, and regional weather conditions.

During the COP-16 conference, a meeting was held between the Uzbek delegation and representatives from FAO. The Uzbek delegation, led by Aziz Abduhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, also included Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alisher Shukurov. From FAO, the meeting was attended by Abdulhakim Elwayer, Deputy Director-General and Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, Li Lifeng, Head of the Land and Water Resources Department, Qi Min Wu, Head of Forestry, Feras Ziadat, Technical Specialist, and Sherzod Umarov, FAO Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan.

The meeting focused on key areas of cooperation, including climate change mitigation, environmental protection, and sustainable agricultural development. The Uzbek delegation expressed gratitude to FAO for supporting initiatives in these areas. One central topic of discussion was the report "Sand and Dust Storms in Uzbekistan: Atmospheric Modeling for Understanding Consequences and Mitigating Their Effects," which was prepared by FAO in Uzbekistan as part of the "FOLUR" project. The report analyzes the causes and effects of dust storms and presents nature-based solutions for their mitigation. The study, based on the RAMS/ICLAMS atmospheric modeling system, evaluates interactions between dust sources, vegetation cover, and regional climate conditions.

The discussions also focused on Uzbekistan's national "Yashil Makon" program, particularly collaboration on large-scale afforestation initiatives. Participants emphasized that restoring ecological balance in the region requires joint efforts among Central Asian countries. Another key focus was the Aral Sea region, where the importance of enhancing international cooperation was underscored.

In conclusion, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships and implementing joint initiatives to preserve natural resources and promote sustainable development in the region.

The conference will continue until December 13, with ongoing discussions on key issues such as accelerating the restoration of degraded lands by 2030, enhancing resilience to increasing droughts and sand-dust storms, restoring soil health, and expanding food production considering natural factors.

Other issues on the agenda include ensuring land rights, strengthening the role of land in addressing climate challenges and preserving biodiversity, as well as exploring new economic opportunities, including creating decent jobs for youth in land management.