Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) have agreed to develop a joint plan to reduce methane emissions and other climate pollutants, the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change said.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between Aziz Abdukhakimov, presidential adviser on ecology and chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, and Martina Otto, head of the CCAC Secretariat.
The talks took place on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya.
The parties discussed expanding cooperation to reduce emissions of methane, black carbon and other short-lived climate pollutants. They also considered joint projects to improve ambient air quality.
Uzbekistan joined the Global Methane Pledge in May 2022 and became a state partner of the CCAC in 2024.
Two joint projects with a combined value of US$4.6 million are already under way. Uzbekistan also thanked the coalition for including the country in its Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator programme.
The programme provides a US$4 million support package for institutional capacity-building and technical assistance across four priority areas.
The parties also discussed a project titled "National Strategy for Reducing Black Carbon Emissions and Improving Air Quality". The project is valued at US$600,000, with implementation scheduled to begin in December 2026.
New initiatives and national coordination
Uzbekistan welcomed new initiatives from the CCAC and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), including a global economic assessment of measures to address climate change and air pollution.
According to an assessment presented at the meeting, every dollar invested could generate approximately US$15 in economic returns.
Uzbekistan also expressed interest in the Farmers FIRST initiative, which aims to reduce emissions from agriculture.
To improve coordination, the Uzbek side proposed establishing a National Unit for Short-Lived Climate Pollutants under the National Centre for Climate Change. The proposed unit would coordinate the work of relevant ministries and organisations in energy, waste management, transport and agriculture.
Regional cooperation
The participants also discussed joint measures to improve air quality in Central Asia. They highlighted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's initiative to establish the Clean Air of Central Asia interstate consortium.
The consortium is expected to help attract green financing for industrial modernisation and emissions reduction.
In this context, Uzbekistan proposed hosting a regional CCAC workshop in Tashkent in 2027. The event would focus on air quality and reducing black carbon and methane emissions.
Following the talks, the parties agreed to prepare a joint work plan under the Accelerator programme. The document is expected to include specific activities, implementation deadlines and co-financing mechanisms.
The participants confirmed their interest in further developing the partnership and implementing initiatives to reduce climate pollutants in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
