Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 11 March, a "High-Level Policy Dialogue: Expanding Financing and Investment to Achieve Environmental Goals in Central Asia" took place in Tashkent.

This event was organized by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, in collaboration with Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

In 2023, the leaders of Central Asian states and the German Federal Chancellor laid the foundation for strengthening cooperation in addressing the region's environmental and climate challenges. Despite progress in attracting investments into the "green" economy, particularly in renewable energy, Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) still face a shortfall in funding for other critical environmental areas.

Participants included Uzbekistan's Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov; the German Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Manfred Huterer; OECD Deputy Director for Environmental Issues, Mathilde Mesnard; EBRD First Deputy Director, Raquel Barza; and representatives of environmental agencies from Central Asian countries, Mongolia, and international organizations.

Attendees discussed key challenges related to financing environmental projects, including securing water, energy, and land resources, biodiversity protection, and the implementation of nature-based solutions. Special attention was given to safeguarding freshwater ecosystems, improving water efficiency, controlling pollution, and developing sustainable agriculture.

During the dialogue, participants outlined strategic priorities for enhancing coordination between financial institutions. They explored opportunities for using blended financial instruments to make environmental projects more attractive for investment.

One of the key outcomes of the event was the introduction of a new "Central Asian Nature Partnership." This fund, managed by the EBRD, is aimed at supporting environmental investments and nature-positive business strategies. Its goal is to create demonstration projects that can be scaled up to reduce natural resource loss, increase biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience in the region.

The dialogue in Tashkent marked an important step toward strengthening regional cooperation and finding new financing mechanisms for environmental initiatives. Participants emphasized the need for greater coordination at national and regional levels to achieve sustainable development and address climate challenges in Central Asia.