Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the World Summit on Climate Action, held in Antalya as part of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), the press service of the President of Uzbekistan reported.
The ceremony was also attended by heads of foreign states and governments, as well as leaders of international organisations and financial institutions. The event included a group photograph of the heads of delegations.
The leaders’ summit is being held under the motto “Towards a Sustainable, Stable and Fair Future”. Its aim is to give fresh impetus to international efforts to combat climate change and fulfil global environmental commitments.
COP31 is taking place from 9 to 20 November and brings together representatives of states, international organisations, business and scientific communities, and civil society. Key topics include the practical implementation of the Paris Agreement, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the effects of climate change, expanding climate finance and accelerating the transition to a green economy.
The climate agenda is particularly important for Uzbekistan and Central Asia amid growing water scarcity, land degradation, melting glaciers, droughts and other consequences of global warming.
One practical step in this area was the launch at the summit of the regional programme “Climate-Resilient Landscapes in Central Asia” (CLiCA). It was developed jointly by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with the support of international partners.
The seven-year programme has a total funding volume of €264.4 million. Of this amount, €103.7 million is allocated to Uzbekistan.
The funds are expected to be used to restore forests and pastures, introduce climate-resilient agricultural practices, promote the sustainable use of natural resources and expand rural communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change.
Uzbekistan is also implementing its national commitments under the global climate agenda. In particular, the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 50% by 2035, compared with 2010 levels.
Uzbekistan joined the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1993 and became a party to the Paris Agreement in 2018.
The country is also promoting international and regional initiatives in environmental protection, renewable energy development, water conservation and strengthening climate resilience.
