Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A round table was held on the topic "Climate change: the need for a transition to a green economy". 

Its participants were First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Ilkhom Norkulov, Head of Nature, Climate and Energy UNDP Laura Altinger, Lead Economist of the Asian Development Bank Chigdem Akin, World Bank Senior Environmental Finance Specialist Weigen Leu, Country Representative of the Global Green Growth Institute Aaron Russell, experts from France and Germany.

The urgency of the problem is very high, since Uzbekistan is considered one of the most vulnerable countries in terms of climate change risks. Realizing the urgent need to protect natural resources, the government has made the transition to a greener economy one of the priorities of the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy.

The meeting reviewed the steps already taken, including ensuring water and food security, adapting to climate change and reducing its negative effects, developing the institutional and legislative framework, transferring environmentally friendly technologies and strengthening cooperation in these areas.

In particular, the energy sector of Uzbekistan accounts for 89% of emissions, and agriculture for 13% of emissions. Energy intensity per unit of GDP is one of the highest in the world. Uzbekistan has committed itself to the START Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in relation to GDP by 2030.

In addition, experts exchanged views on sustainable approaches to address climate change in energy, water and agriculture, as well as on increasing resilience to natural disasters, the importance of green principles in public sector budgeting, climate risk assessment of public investment projects and attracting green international finance and foreign trade, as well as supporting private sector companies in the green economy and preparing the workforce in accordance with the needs of the transition to a green economy, which contributes to the creation of green jobs.