Uzbekistan and ADB Expand Cooperation on Green Economy and Climate Initiatives

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change hosted a meeting between Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President for South, Central, and West Asia, Yingming Yang.

The Uzbek side expressed gratitude for ADB’s longstanding partnership and support, particularly in waste management, institutional reforms, and the promotion of a green economy.

Year of Ecology and Green Economy

The meeting highlighted that 2025 has been declared the “Year of Ecology and Green Economy” in Uzbekistan at the initiative of the President. This reflects the country’s strategic course toward building an environmentally oriented development model, actively integrating renewable energy and innovative technologies.

The minister informed the delegation about the establishment of the Central Asian University for Environmental and Climate Studies (Green University) in Uzbekistan. The new institution will serve as a platform for training specialists and conducting joint research in collaboration with the ADB.

Key initiatives and new projects

The parties identified priority areas for cooperation, including:

ADB’s participation in the Clean Air Actions for Better Health and Resilience initiative aimed at improving air quality and strengthening public health;

Development of sustainable and smart cities, with the integration of monitoring technologies and nature-based solutions in urban planning;

Expanding international cooperation under the motto “Nature Knows No Borders” and transforming Samarkand into an international hub for ecological forums.

The successful organization of Eco Expo Central Asia – 2025 was also emphasized as an important platform for showcasing green technologies and investment projects. ADB’s Vice-President praised Uzbekistan’s leadership in this field and supported the regular hosting of the exhibition.

Outlook for cooperation

The two sides also discussed preparations for major upcoming international events to be held in Uzbekistan, including the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, the 20th Conference of the Parties to the CITES Convention, the 8th GEF Assembly, and Eco Expo Central Asia – 2026.

At the conclusion of the talks, both parties expressed confidence in deepening their partnership and jointly advancing prospective environmental and climate projects.