Uzbekistan Presents Land Restoration Projects at COP17

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan presented initiatives to attract investment for restoring degraded land and scaling up climate-resilient solutions at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), UzDaily.uz reported. The event, titled "From Investment to Results," took place on 24 August 2026 at the Uzbekistan National Pavilion.

Participants in the discussion included Aziz Abdukhakimov, adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change; Tarifa Alzaabi, director general of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA); Bakhtiyor Pulatov, rector of Green University; and Marguba Redjapova, a postdoctoral researcher at ICBA CAC.

Abdukhakimov highlighted Karakalpakstan, where targeted investments facilitated sustainable agricultural production projects in degraded areas. Supported by US$5.1 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in 2023, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and ICBA established three demonstration sites, tested climate-resilient crops, and developed soil, water, and agricultural management practices.

In 2025–2026, the program expanded to reach an additional 4,144 farmers across all 15 districts of Karakalpakstan, producing and distributing more than 20.9 tonnes of high-quality seeds.

The event featured a joint concept for future cooperation between Uzbekistan and ICBA, proposing the creation of the Central Asian Center for Biosaline Agriculture and Climate Resilience (CABACRH) at Green University. The center will combine field projects, laboratory research, specialist training, and practical technology implementation.

The initiative includes plans for a US$5 million spirulina research laboratory to study microalgae, water resources, and salinity while serving as a training facility for students, researchers, and farmers.

Participants also discussed establishing a Drylands Project Lab at Green University to prepare land restoration projects for funding by defining baselines, budgets, environmental and social safeguards, key performance indicators, and potential funding sources. The initial international intake is proposed for 2027, involving specialists from Central Asia, Mongolia, and other dryland regions.

Another proposal outlined the development of a Regional Land Restoration Quality Standard alongside a Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system. The standard will evaluate restored land area, vegetation and soil conditions, water balance, productivity, and socio-economic impacts, with initial testing planned across five to ten pilot projects.

Additionally, delegates considered creating a Central Asian Land Project Preparation Center to assist projects with feasibility studies, baseline and MRV development, environmental and social safeguards, economic analysis, and financial structuring. Once prepared, projects can be submitted to funding mechanisms including the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, international financial institutions, bilateral partners, and private investors.

The session also covered building scientific and institutional capacity, training personnel, and engaging with farmers and government agencies. Green University and ICBA representatives reviewed the activities of AquaBio Lab as a platform for research, innovation, and technological development.

Participants emphasized turning successful investments into a foundation for future projects through evidence building, skills development, technology dissemination, and the creation of investment-ready project portfolios.