Tashkent, Samarkand Join FAO Green Cities Network

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Tashkent and Samarkand have officially joined the Green Cities Network of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Membership certificates were issued on 20 August 2026 by the Secretariat of the Green Cities Initiative at FAO headquarters in Rome, officially confirming the two Uzbek cities as members of the international network.

By joining the Network, Tashkent and Samarkand have become part of a global community of cities implementing integrated solutions for sustainable and environmentally focused urban development. Membership will enable the cities to engage with the international community, exchange best practices and jointly develop approaches to creating greener, healthier, more resilient and inclusive urban environments.

The FAO Green Cities Network focuses on three main areas: urban and peri-urban forestry, urban and peri-urban agriculture, and sustainable bioeconomy.

Membership provides cities with opportunities to receive technical support and capacity development assistance, exchange knowledge and practices, participate in city-to-city cooperation platforms, develop international partnerships, mobilize resources and attract investment.

Participation in the Network is also expected to strengthen the international visibility of Tashkent and Samarkand as cities implementing sustainable solutions in urban development and environmental protection.

The Green Cities Initiative was launched by FAO in 2020. Its goal is to contribute to improving the health and well-being of urban residents and the state of the environment in 1,000 cities worldwide by 2030.

Cooperation within the Network is guided by the Green Cities Communiqué, as well as the FAO Green City Principles and Criteria.

The Green Cities Communiqué, presented at the First International Green Cities Conference in 2025, sets out a shared vision and collective commitments to advancing a global movement toward greener and more sustainable cities. The FAO Green City Principles and Criteria provide the conceptual framework and key guidelines for the initiative.

In the coming weeks, the Secretariat of the FAO Green Cities Initiative will provide Tashkent and Samarkand with additional guidance on conducting an initial baseline self-assessment. The results will help identify each city’s priority areas and shape subsequent technical assistance according to their specific needs.

The accession of Tashkent and Samarkand to the FAO Green Cities Network opens new opportunities for international cooperation and the exchange of experience in sustainable urban development.