Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 17-18 October, the leader of Uzbekistan, along with the heads of state and government of 140 countries, took part in the third International Forum “One Belt, One Road” (BRI).

During his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev voiced a number of important initiatives that meet not only the interests of Uzbekistan, but also of all Central Asian states and other countries participating in the BRI.

In particular, the head of our state proposed: developing a “green” development program within the framework of combining the “Green Agenda of Central Asia” and the “Green Silk Road”; create a special demonstration technology park and a scientific and information platform for the transfer of “green” knowledge and solutions at the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea region; establish a Green Financing Fund in Uzbekistan; intensify dialogue on the transition to green energy; develop within the framework of the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change a Program for the training of specialists and the development of academic exchanges; launch, as part of the BRI initiative, a Global Program for the Development of Green Culture through festivals, forums and other events.

All these proposals put forward by the leader of our country once again confirm the priority of issues of sustainable development and the transition to a “green” economy in both the domestic and foreign policy of the state.

Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. This, in turn, requires immediate action to reduce the burden on the environment while maintaining economic growth.

Understanding the importance and urgency of action in solving climate problems, such as the transition to environmentally friendly energy sources, meeting energy needs and ensuring sustainable development, Uzbekistan acceded to the UN Framework Convention (1993), ratified the Kyoto Protocol (1999) and the Paris Agreement (2018).

As part of the undertaken obligations, a number of conceptual documents were adopted in our republic, such as the Strategy “Uzbekistan - 2030”, the Concept of environmental protection until 2030, the Strategy for the transition of the republic to a “green” economy for 2019-2030, the Development Concept water management for 2020-2030, the Concept of providing Uzbekistan with electrical energy for 2020-2030, the Concept for the development of the hydrometeorological service for 2020-2025, which consolidates the achievement of the following targets:

- an increase in the share of renewable energy sources in the total volume of generated electricity by more than 25%;

- introduction of international and national "green" criteria in state investment and procurement;

- mitigation of the consequences of the Aral environmental disaster;

In addition, institutional reforms were carried out.

In order to improve the public administration system in the field of environmental protection and the use of natural resources, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Changes was created, in which the Center for the Hydrometeorological Service and the Forestry Agency are reformed, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Economy operates.

Uzbekistan is also actively promoting green development issues at the regional and global levels. Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly made initiatives within the framework of traditional advisory meetings of the heads of the state of Central Asia. At the proposal of Tashkent, the regional program "Green Agenda" was adopted. Our neighbors completely supported this initiative aimed at developing joint approaches to the rational and efficient use of resources, determining the priority areas of cooperation with the international community to mitigate the consequences of climate change.

As part of the fifth anniversary advisory meeting on 14 September 2023 in Dushanbe, the President of Uzbekistan in order to strengthen the further interaction of Central Asia states in the field of "green" development and adaptation to climatic changes, the first Samarkand International Climate Forum proposed to conduct in the spring of 2024. According to its results, it is planned to prepare a draft resolution of the UN General Assembly “Central Asia before global climatic challenges: consolidation for general prosperity”, the adoption of which was initiated by Tashkent at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

Thus, it can be said that the proposals of the head of Uzbekistan are comprehensive and affect almost all spheres - from the economy to the formation and formation of culture. This, in turn, will not only serve as another help for the transition of Central Asia to the “green” economy, but will also ensure the practical implementation of regional projects and programs.

Lobar Umarova,

Chief researcher at the Institute of Strategic

and interregional research

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan