ECO launches high-level environmental dialogue platform

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The first meeting of the High-Level Dialogue Platform on Environmental Cooperation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held on 24 April in Astana during the Regional Environmental Summit, officially launching a new mechanism aimed at strengthening regional environmental cooperation.

The initiative to establish the platform was put forward by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 15th ECO Summit in Ashgabat.

The meeting brought together senior officials, including Aziz Abdukhakimov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and Chair of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change; Yerlan Nasyinbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan; Akyl Toktobaev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan; Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chair of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan; Ovezgeldi Goshjanov, Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan; and ECO Secretary General Asad M. Khan. Representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Development Programme also participated.

In his address, Aziz Abdukhakimov stressed the need to move from discussions to practical implementation. He proposed the creation of a regional environmental monitoring system and air quality tracking network, as well as the introduction of an early warning mechanism for environmental risks.

Participants noted that ECO member countries are facing interconnected environmental challenges, including air, soil, and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, and the impacts of climate change.

It was emphasized that these processes are transboundary in nature and require coordinated regional action.

The platform is intended to serve as a permanent venue for strategic cooperation, experience sharing, and the development of joint initiatives.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Uzbek side invited participants to continue discussions at a ministerial meeting scheduled for June 3 in Samarkand during the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility.