Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The 37th High-Level Meeting of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, titled “Restoring Trust, Cooperation and Global Stability for a Common Future,” was held on 23–24 September at the Harvard Club of New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), took part in the meeting.
The meeting provided a platform for exchanging views on international cooperation, sustainable development, climate and energy security, and the role of digital technologies in global governance.
Climate as a factor in regional cooperation
Speaking at a session on climate cooperation amid global fragmentation, Aripov noted that while political divisions are increasing, climate change is instead strengthening the interdependence of states.
According to him, climate challenges are becoming not only a source of new risks, but also a driver of stronger regional cooperation. This is particularly evident in Central Asia, where water, food and energy security are closely interconnected.
The ISRS director noted that temperatures in Central Asia are rising twice as fast as the global average, while the area covered by glaciers has declined by about 30% over the past six decades. At the same time, glaciers play a key role in the region’s water resources, feeding the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, on which agriculture, energy and the lives of millions of people depend.
Demographic and economic growth are placing additional pressure on resources. According to projections cited by Aripov, Central Asia’s population could reach 100 million by 2050. At the same time, demand for water, food and energy will increase, while climate change is making the availability of these resources less predictable.
Regional solutions to common challenges
Speaking about ways to address these problems, Aripov emphasised the importance of regional cooperation.
According to him, the UN sets global climate goals, but their implementation requires consideration of the specific characteristics of individual regions. This is particularly relevant to Central Asia, where river basins and glacier systems extend across several countries and require coordinated action.
The ISRS director highlighted the importance of regional cooperation mechanisms, particularly when global dialogue encounters difficulties. In his view, such mechanisms make it possible to maintain practical cooperation and jointly address issues of common interest.
Climate finance received particular attention in his remarks. Aripov noted that international support is often focused on individual countries and projects, while climate risks affect several states simultaneously.
In this regard, he called for the development of financial instruments to implement joint projects aimed at preserving natural resources and adapting to climate change. According to him, this approach would take into account the interests of all countries dependent on the condition of shared river basins.
Climate change adaptation
The ISRS director described climate change adaptation as one of the key priorities for countries in the region.
He stressed that for developing countries, alongside long-term energy transition goals, it is necessary to address practical issues directly affecting the population: ensuring access to water for farmers, improving preparedness for floods and droughts, and preserving people’s sources of income.
Concluding his remarks, Aripov stressed that geopolitical divisions should not become an obstacle to international cooperation on climate and environmental issues.
According to him, areas such as water resource management, environmental monitoring and climate change adaptation should remain areas of sustained and constructive dialogue among states.
International participation
The high-level meeting brought together current and former heads of state and government, representatives of the UN and international organisations, as well as members of parliaments and representatives of expert and business communities.
Honoured participants included the incumbent presidents of Latvia and Montenegro, as well as former presidents and prime ministers of Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Romania, Greece and other countries.
Opening remarks were delivered by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN Alliance of Civilizations High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Economic Commission for Europe Executive Secretary Tatiana Molchan, and former Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs Wu Hongbo.
