Samarkand to Host the 8th Global Environment Facility Assembly

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) — one of the largest international events in the field of environmental protection and climate change — will be held in Samarkand from 31 May to 6 June 2026.

Hosting a forum of this caliber in Uzbekistan will mark an important step in strengthening the country's role on the global environmental stage. The Assembly will bring together representatives of more than 180 countries, international organizations, financial institutions, academic circles, and civil society.

At the center of discussions will be climate change, biodiversity conservation, land degradation prevention, the rational use of water resources, and the promotion of green economy principles. For Uzbekistan, the forum will serve not only as an opportunity to present the results of ongoing reforms, but also as a platform for forging new strategic partnerships.

Holding the Assembly in Samarkand will contribute to enhancing the country's international standing as an active participant in global environmental policy. In recent years, Uzbekistan has been consistently implementing initiatives to restore the Aral Sea ecosystem, carry out large-scale greening of the dried seabed, develop renewable energy sources, and adapt to the consequences of climate change. The international platform will allow these achievements to be showcased and additional expert and financial support to be attracted.

One of the key expected outcomes is expanded access to international financial resources. As one of the world's largest donors of environmental projects, the GEF's Assembly will create favorable conditions for launching new grant programs and investment initiatives, in turn opening additional opportunities for implementing national projects in sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and the protection of rare flora and fauna.

The development of international cooperation is of particular significance as well. Bilateral meetings, the signing of agreements, and the development of joint solutions on transboundary environmental issues are all planned within the framework of the Assembly. For the countries of Central Asia, where challenges related to water use, climate change, and ecosystem preservation require coordinated action, this carries strategic importance.

The 8th GEF Assembly in Samarkand thus represents a strategic opportunity for Uzbekistan to strengthen its position in the global green agenda, expand investment cooperation, and accelerate the implementation of national sustainable development priorities.