Uzbekistan Proposes Climate Initiatives at SCO Summit

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation from the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Climate Change, led by Deputy Chairman Jusipbek Kazbekov, participated in the expert meeting and the Seventh Meeting of Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, held on 2–3 April 2026, in Bishkek.

The event, themed "25 Years Together for Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity," focused on strengthening environmental cooperation amidst mounting global challenges. Participants addressed climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, emphasizing their impact on regional sustainable development.

In his address, Jusipbek Kazbekov expressed gratitude to the Kyrgyz Republic for its chairmanship and highlighted the necessity of deepening regional interaction and expanding the exchange of expertise to enhance climate resilience. The Uzbek side detailed the country's ongoing "green" transformation, including large-scale afforestation projects on the dried bed of the Aral Sea and the "Yashil Makon" (Green Space) national initiative, which aims to plant 200 million trees annually and establish botanical and dendrological parks by 2028.

Furthermore, national projects such as "Clean Air," "Waste-Free Territory," "Eco-Culture," and "Bio-Heritage" are currently being implemented. It was noted that Uzbekistan is solidifying its role as a regional hub for environmental cooperation by hosting international events in Samarkand and preparing for the eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the Eco Expo Central Asia.

During the meeting, Uzbekistan put forward several key initiatives, including:

• A draft agreement on climate change among SCO member states.
• The creation of a specialized working group on the climate agenda.
• The launch of a regional platform for climate adaptation, decarbonization, and the use of artificial intelligence for predicting environmental risks.

Concluding the session, the Uzbek delegation advocated for a more aligned environmental policy within the SCO to foster joint projects aimed at preventing negative climate consequences, sustainable natural resource management, and advancing the "green" transition. Participants expressed confidence that the meeting's outcomes would significantly contribute to regional environmental security and sustainable development.