Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, visited the Central Asian University for Environmental Studies and Climate Change (Green University), established under the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He was accompanied by Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov and Chairman of the Tourism Committee Umid Shadiev.

During the visit, Mr. Pololikashvili was introduced to the work of the first academic institution in Central Asia entirely focused on environmental studies. Particular attention was given to the university’s modern educational and scientific infrastructure: innovative laboratories, specialized classrooms, interactive learning platforms, as well as current research projects dedicated to climate change adaptation, sustainable natural resource management, and biodiversity conservation.

The Secretary-General praised the initiative to establish Green University, emphasizing the importance of such an educational model in advancing the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection. He stated:

“We were truly impressed and delighted to visit this new and creative university, which is designed to support ecology, professionals, and ideas in the field of sustainable development. This is an important and innovative direction for the education system, and I would like to thank the Minister and congratulate the President of Uzbekistan for the initiative to make sustainable development and sustainable tourism a national policy priority. These steps show that Uzbekistan is taking a leading position not only in the region but also globally. Universities like this are a novelty for the entire planet, and I am glad to see that Uzbekistan is a pioneer and leader in this process.”

The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UN World Tourism Organization and Green University, aimed at fostering cooperation in the fields of sustainable tourism, environmental protection, and education. The document was signed by Zurab Pololikashvili and Aziz Abdukhakimov.

Under the memorandum, both parties committed to jointly strengthen Uzbekistan’s capacity in sustainable tourism by training qualified professionals and sharing best practices; raising public awareness of sustainable tourism as a driver of positive change for both society and nature; promoting tourism as a tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); supporting innovation in environmental protection, natural resource management, and climate change mitigation; and facilitating scientific research and academic exchange, including student and faculty mobility and the creation of joint educational and awareness-raising initiatives.

The memorandum also envisions regular dialogue between the two organizations, coordination of joint projects, training programs, and the exchange of advanced practices.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization, a specialized agency of the UN, brings together 166 countries and territories, along with over 500 affiliate members, including private companies, academic institutions, and tourism associations.

The signing of this memorandum marks a significant step in integrating Uzbekistan’s environmental and tourism strategies into the global sustainable development agenda, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the principles of the “green economy” and international cooperation.