Uzbekistan Strengthens Cooperation with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Conservation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In Samarkand, on the sidelines of the 20th CITES Conference of the Parties, a meeting took place between Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention.

The discussions focused on the conservation of wetland ecosystems and the expansion of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the international convention.

During the talks, both sides highlighted the productivity of their collaboration, which encompasses educational, research, and environmental initiatives. Particular attention was given to the development of a specialized training program aimed at implementing the Ramsar strategy, designed to enhance the qualifications of specialists and establish a systematic approach to wetland management.

Currently, five sites in Uzbekistan are listed under the Ramsar Convention: Dengizkul (2001), the Aydar-Arnasay Lake System (2008), Tudakul and Kuymazar Water Bodies, Sudochye (2023), and Zhyltyrbas (2024).

These sites are of critical importance for migratory waterfowl, regional biodiversity, and the maintenance of a sustainable water balance.

Musonda Mumba also visited the Central Asian University for Environmental Studies and Climate Change, where she delivered a lecture for students. She noted growing youth interest in wetland conservation and announced plans to expand such educational sessions in 2026.

Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Ramsar Convention and expressed readiness to expand joint scientific, educational, and practical programs to preserve Uzbekistan’s unique wetlands.