Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has joined the first group of five countries participating in the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE), an international initiative designed to develop climate projects and attract international financing.
The initiative was announced in New York on 24 September 2026 during Climate Week. It is being implemented under the COP31 presidency, with the participation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia and Pakistan are the other countries in the pilot group. BRIDGE aims to help participating countries move from climate planning to the practical implementation of measures and investment projects.
The initiative provides expert support to identify priorities, prepare projects and explore opportunities to secure international funding. During the initial phase, international experts will work with national specialists to assess Uzbekistan's existing climate programmes and identify areas with the strongest potential for implementation and investment.
The assessment is expected to lead to a roadmap linking national climate priorities with specific projects and opportunities for international support.
Uzbekistan's participation is linked to the implementation of its updated national climate targets. Under the third version of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 50% by 2035 compared with 2010 levels.
BRIDGE will focus in particular on renewable energy, energy efficiency, the sustainable use of water resources, sustainable agriculture, improved waste management and climate change adaptation.
On 8 October 2026, Uzbekistan's National Centre for Climate Change held an online meeting with representatives of the Turkish side to discuss further steps towards the country's participation in the initiative.
BRIDGE is also seen as an opportunity to expand Uzbekistan's cooperation with international partners, attract investment and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
The initiative is being implemented ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026.
