Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Against the background of the growing climate crisis in the world, more and more attention is paid to the issues of "green" and sustainable development.

"Green" development is a concept that embraces the balance of socio-economic progress with respect for the environment, efficient use of natural resources. At the same time, the adoption of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies, the achievement of maximum energy efficiency, the development of renewable energy sources, and, ultimately, the improvement of the quality of life of people, become a priority.

All countries of Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, are most exposed to the negative effects of climate change. The region is increasingly faced with such natural anomalies as drought, dust storms, degradation every year, there is an increasing shortage of water resources.

The leadership of Uzbekistan in the last 6-7 years has chosen a firm course for "green" development, relying on the introduction of renewable energy sources, smart technologies aimed at respecting nature, rational use of water resources.

The country is developing various targeted strategies, taking into account the short term and aimed at achieving environmental safety and sustainable development.

One of the program documents in this direction was the resolution of the President of the country "On measures to increase the effectiveness of reforms aimed at the transition of the Republic of Uzbekistan to a "green" economy until 2030." Practical steps are provided for in the decree of the head of state "On additional measures to introduce energy-saving technologies and develop low-capacity renewable energy sources."

On the way to a phased transition to a low-carbon economy, Uzbekistan plans to launch renewable energy sources (RES) with a total capacity of more than 2,000 MW already this year, and 8,000 MW next year. At the same time, by 2030, it is planned to increase the generation of RES capacity to 15 GW and increase the share of RES to 30% in the total electricity production in the country.

Consistently, systematic work is being carried out to introduce modern technologies for the careful use of water. In recent years, the area covered by water-saving technologies in the country has reached 1 million hectares, which is approximately 25% of irrigated land. Due to this, 3 billion cubic meters of water were saved in 2022 alone. This year, it is planned to introduce water-saving technologies on an area of 500,000 hectares. In particular, drip irrigation will cover 260 thousand hectares, sprinkling method will be introduced on 25 thousand hectares, discrete irrigation technology - on 15 thousand hectares. A highly effective water saving method - laser leveling will be used on another 200,000 hectares.

The urgency of solving water conservation issues seems especially timely against the backdrop of disappointing forecasts of scientists regarding a possible decrease in the flow of the main water arteries of the region - the Amudarya by 15% and the Syrdarya by 5% by 2050.

The Concept for the Development of the Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030 sets the task of introducing water-saving technologies on at least 50% of the country’s 4.3 million hectares of irrigated land.

The Decree of the President of Uzbekistan “On Urgent Measures to Improve the Efficiency of Water Resources Use” adopted on April 1 this year testifies to the special attention to water management, on which food security primarily depends.

All of the above documents are aimed at achieving environmental security and sustainable development of the country. On this path, Uzbekistan consistently and firmly fulfills the obligations assumed under international conventions in the field of environmental protection, among which the most significant are: the Framework Convention on Climate Change (06/20/1993), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (04/19/2018 .), the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses, the Convention on Biological Diversity (06.05.1995), the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (22.12.1995) and others.

The work on the implementation of the obligations under the Paris Agreement continues systematically. It is noteworthy that Uzbekistan has increased its quantitative obligations in accordance with the specified international climate document and intends to reduce specific greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35% by 2030 from the level of 2010, instead of the previously envisaged 10%.

Taking into account the undertaken obligations, measures are being taken to plant trees, reforestation and improve the environmental situation in the Aral Sea basin.

Attention is drawn to the Decree of the President adopted at the end of May this year "On measures to transform the sphere of ecology and environmental protection and organize the activities of the authorized state body." This document provides for the creation of protective forest plantations - "green belt", "green garden", "green public park" and "green coverings", as well as planting tree seedlings along main roads and main railways based on natural conditions.

At the same time, large-scale measures are envisaged for the development of forestry and forest nursery, the creation of irrigation systems and the installation of water wells.

For the practical implementation of the tasks set, the Investment Program for Targeted Planting of Uzbekistan will be approved on an annual basis.

The successful implementation of the nationwide project "Yashil Makon" (Green Land), launched in November 2021 at the initiative of the head of state, gives clear results. In the spring of 2023 alone, within the framework of Yashil Makon, 10 million ornamental, fruit trees and shrubs were planted.

As part of this ambitious project, it is planned to plant 1 billion trees and shrubs by 2026 to mitigate the effects of man-made pressure and the greenhouse effect in the hot climate of the republic.

One of the most vulnerable territories of Uzbekistan in terms of ecological imbalance remains the Aral Sea zone. The issue of landscaping and reforestation of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea is the most relevant on the agenda of the “green” development of the republic.

In recent years, saxaul and other desert plants have been planted on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea on an area of 1.7 million hectares, and the area of green plantations has been increased by two million hectares. Work in this direction will continue in the coming years. In particular, in 2023-2026, it is planned to create a green cover on an area of 400,000 hectares.

This, of course, is a significant contribution to solving the consequences of an environmental catastrophe that goes far beyond the regional scale.

Meanwhile, in addition to the great efforts being made to maintain the ecological balance at the national level, international support is still important. In combating the consequences of climate change and achieving an ecological balance, Uzbekistan attaches great importance to effective interaction with international and donor organizations. For the purpose of practical cooperation and exchange of experience, our country actively cooperates with such organizations as the UN and its divisions, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and others.

Projects supported by international partners include climate change mitigation, environmental protection, energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable management of natural and water resources. They allow not only to receive the necessary financial and expert support, but also provide an opportunity to exchange best practices and technologies to achieve environmental balance and sustainable development.

Cooperation in the field of climate and ecology, large-scale efforts for "green" development at the national level pursue the most important goal of Uzbekistan at the present stage - the achievement of environmental security and sustainable development.

Acting Head of the Water-Environmental Department of MICA Nozim Khasanov