Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is among the first five countries participating in the COP31 Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) initiative, which aims to turn national climate commitments into investment-ready projects. The platform has expanded to four additional countries, while Türkiye has committed US$3 million to support its launch. The initiative could help participating countries address barriers to climate investment, although no specific funding allocation for Uzbekistan has been announced.
Uzbekistan is among the first five countries participating in the international Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) initiative, designed to transform national climate commitments into investment-ready projects. At COP31 in Antalya, the initiative announced its expansion to four additional countries, while Türkiye committed US$3 million in grant funding to support the platform's operational launch.
According to a statement released by the COP31 Presidency, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia and Pakistan were the initiative's five initial participating countries. Their participation was announced during the 81st High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Four additional countries — Chile, Lebanon, Mexico and Zambia — have now joined the platform.
BRIDGE (Climate Implementation Bridge) aims to help countries move from climate commitments to practical implementation. Building on the United Nations Development Programme's Climate Promise initiative, the platform seeks to identify investment barriers, strengthen national institutional capacity and connect governments with technical, financial and implementation partners.
On 13 November, Türkiye's Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding to support the initiative. Türkiye committed US$3 million in grant funding to help operationalise the platform.
The five initial participating countries are conducting diagnostic assessments to identify priority sectors, investment needs and barriers to project implementation. The findings are expected to inform targeted support and help countries develop investment-ready climate projects.
COP31 President Murat Kurum emphasised that one of the central challenges facing international climate cooperation is bridging the gap between climate ambition and implementation.
According to Kurum, BRIDGE is intended to help countries translate their national priorities into bankable projects while improving access to financing, technical expertise and partnerships.
For Uzbekistan, participation in the initiative is particularly relevant given the country's substantial climate adaptation investment requirements.
According to figures presented at Uzbekistan's national pavilion at COP31, the country's climate adaptation financing needs are estimated at approximately US$30.1 billion by 2035.
Potential areas where such investment mechanisms could be relevant include modernising water management infrastructure, developing climate-resilient agriculture and improving energy efficiency. However, the COP31 Presidency's announcement did not identify specific projects in Uzbekistan that would receive support through BRIDGE.
Separately, multilateral development banks, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), reaffirmed their commitment at COP31 to expanding climate adaptation investments and mobilising additional public and private financing.
The US$3 million committed by Türkiye is intended to support the BRIDGE platform as a whole and does not constitute a separate financial allocation to Uzbekistan.
The initiative reflects a broader emphasis at COP31 on moving beyond climate pledges towards practical financing mechanisms capable of translating national climate priorities into investment opportunities and measurable results.
By Kamila Fayzieva, special for Uzdaily, COP31, Antalya, Türkiye
