Uzbekistan Unveils New Initiatives at Astana Summit

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the opening ceremony of the Regional Environmental Summit held on 22 April in Astana, bringing together heads of state and government from Central Asia, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia, as well as leaders of international and regional organizations.

In his address, the Uzbek leader expressed support for the summit’s central concept, “A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future,” stressing that environmental challenges require coordinated collective action. He noted that the forum continues the dialogue launched at the Samarkand Climate Forum and reflects a new stage of systemic regional cooperation in Central Asia.

The President warned that global climate change is accelerating, stating that warming in Central Asia is occurring at twice the global average rate. He pointed to the loss of nearly one-third of the region’s glaciers, increasing instability in precipitation patterns, and a growing shortage of water resources. He also said that land degradation has affected around 80 million hectares.

He emphasized the need to strengthen international environmental solidarity and ensure fair access for developing countries to climate finance, technology, and innovation.

According to Mirziyoyev, environmental issues have become a key priority in regional cooperation. Central Asian countries are implementing national strategies on green development, climate adaptation, and environmental protection.

Highlighting Uzbekistan’s national achievements, he noted that around one billion trees and shrubs have been planted under the “Yashil Makon” initiative. On the dried seabed of the Aral Sea, afforestation efforts now cover more than two million hectares, contributing to the creation of new green belts. At Uzbekistan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring a decade of action for afforestation and reforestation.

The President also stated that water-saving measures have resulted in annual savings of around 10 billion cubic meters of water. The share of renewable energy has reached 30 percent and is expected to exceed 50 percent by 2030. Uzbekistan has also fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments early, reducing emissions by 35 percent, with a target of a 50 percent reduction by 2035.

Special attention was given to waste management and energy recovery projects. The country is implementing initiatives to generate energy from waste. This year, two waste-to-energy plants are planned to be launched, followed by nine more over the next two years. These facilities are expected to process 5.5 million tons of waste annually, generate 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, and reduce emissions by more than 1 million tons.

Among Uzbekistan’s proposals is the establishment of a transnational consortium, “Clean Air of Central Asia,” aimed at industrial modernization and emission control systems. It was also proposed to grant regional status to the Center for Combating Desertification and Early Warning of Sand and Dust Storms under the Green University in Tashkent.

Additional initiatives include the creation of a “Green Trade Corridor of Central Asia” with preferential customs regimes, a unified investment portfolio of regional climate projects, a regional environmental change atlas, and a Central Asian Red Book coordinated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The President also proposed hosting the World Youth Climate Forum in Uzbekistan in 2027.

He concluded by inviting participants to the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and the World Water Conservation Forum, both scheduled to take place in Samarkand.