Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 10 February, the Meeting of Central Asian countries after the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in the conference hall of the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change Green University. The event was dedicated to the topic “Central Asia in the negotiation process on climate change: Results of the UNFCCC COP28 and plans for the UNFCCC COP29.”

The meeting was attended by heads of government agencies in the field of ecology from 5 Central Asian countries, heads of international organizations and diplomatic corps, representatives of NGOs, academia, environmental activists and the media.

At the opening of the event, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov noted the great attention paid to the industry by the Government of the country, as a result of which the environmental sector is undergoing a radical transformation, as well as the fact that the right of every person to a favorable environment is enshrined in the new constitution.

“The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed several initiatives, including the creation of a climate council, the opening of a national climate center, and the creation of a climate residence. These initiatives reflect decisive actions in the field of combating the consequences of climate change,” emphasized A. Abdukhakimov.

“The Central Asian region’s contribution to climate change is less than 2%, but it is one of the most vulnerable regions to negative consequences. Today our goal is to discuss the achievements and conclusions of the Central Asian countries from participation in COP-28, as well as to determine a strategy for participation in COP-29. It is necessary to coordinate our efforts,” the minister added.

The first session of the high-level event was devoted to the topic “Formation of climate policy in Central Asia.” It was attended by the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Nysanbaev, the Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic Melis Turgunbaev, the Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Bakhodur Sheralizod and the Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan Charygeldi Babanyyazov.

During the dialogue, speakers noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in the region, which can facilitate the exchange of experience, transfer of technologies and resources for adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its consequences. The increased role of Central Asia in the climate negotiations process underscores the importance of the region’s voice on the international stage.
It is worth noting that Aziz Abdukhakimov spoke about a number of works being carried out under the leadership of the head of state. Among them: the creation of the “International Expo-Hub of Climatic Technologies” in the Aral Sea region, the development of an adaptation strategy on the Central Asian Climate Dialogue Platform, the organization of the “Climate Scientific Forum” with the participation of leading foreign scientists and specialists on the basis of the “Green University” in Tashkent, the holding the “Climate Migration” conference under the auspices of the UN in Uzbekistan in 2024, the development of the “Green Employment” program together with the International Trade Organization and others.

The speakers of the second session “The role of international partners in creating sustainable potential of the Central Asian region” were representatives of international organizations - GiZ, USAID, OSCE, ICAT, European Union, World Bank, FAO, UNDP.

The purpose of the meeting was to summarize and discuss the achievements of the Central Asian countries as a result of participation in the UNFCCC COP-28 in December 2023 in Dubai, UAE, as well as to intensify regional cooperation on climate change issues in the countries of Central Asia, including the possibility of creating a regional group of negotiators of countries Central Asia in UNFCCC meetings, and coordinate actions to implement the UNFCCC COP-29 roadmap.