Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- During the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, an international initiative on the Global Methane Pledge was put forward.

The Global Methane Reduction Commitment is an initiative in which members who join agree to take voluntary action to contribute to a collective effort to reduce global methane emissions by 2030 by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels .

Methane is the second most abundant substance in the atmosphere after carbon dioxide, which contributes to temperature rise. Methane traps 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Today, about 120 countries have joined the initiative, accounting for 70% of the global economy and half of methane emissions.

In turn, Uzbekistan contributes to international efforts to combat global warming by joining this Initiative.

Today, within the framework of the First International Forum on Poverty Reduction, a ceremonial event was held dedicated to accession of Uzbekistan to the initiative of the Global Commitment to Reduce Methane Emissions.

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov expressed the political commitment of Uzbekistan to transition to a green economy and reduce methane emissions. In particular, the importance of joining the country to the initiative of the Global Commitment to Reduce Methane, taking into account the impact of methane emissions on climate, was noted.

It was also noted that in order to achieve the goals of this initiative, comprehensive actions will be taken in the country, focusing on the sectors of energy, solid waste and agribusiness, based on close cooperation with international partners.

During the event, the President of the EBRD, Odile Renaud-Basso, noted: “The targeted fight against methane emissions in Uzbekistan has a double effect. This is an important step towards alignment with the Paris Agreement and the possibility of obtaining economic as well as environmental benefits. For Uzbekistan, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the nationally set contribution target is a low-hanging fruit. Therefore, our support, both technical and financial, should help Uzbekistan quickly reduce emissions by 2030.”

In turn, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan, Ambassador Charlotte Adrian expressed the positive results of the implementation of initiatives for the transition to a "green" economy in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's accession to the obligation will give the country a huge opportunity to achieve the goals of reducing negative emissions, as well as attracting "green" investment funds for the implementation of relevant measures for the transition to a "green" economy.