Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is among the first five countries selected for the international Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) initiative, designed to help turn national climate commitments into investment-ready projects. As the UN climate conference COP31 opened in Antalya on November 9, discussions focused on mobilizing up to US$1.3 trillion annually in climate finance, accelerating the energy transition, and protecting economies against growing climate risks. What opportunities could this create for Uzbekistan, can the country attract new investment, and why do the conference's decisions matter for its energy and water security? UzDaily reports from Antalya
The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) opened in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 9. One of the central questions facing international negotiators is how to move beyond climate commitments and translate them into practical investment projects.
The conference, which runs until November 20, brings together representatives of governments, international financial institutions, businesses, the scientific community, and civil society. Climate finance, energy security, climate adaptation, and infrastructure resilience are among the main priorities.
From Climate Promises to Concrete Investment
Opening COP31, its President, Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, called on countries to focus on implementing previously agreed commitments.
The Turkish COP31 Presidency has positioned the conference as an implementation-focused summit, where climate targets must translate into concrete projects, investment, and tangible benefits for communities.
"Now our promises must be backed by capital. That capital must finance investments. And those investments must deliver results," Kurum said.
According to Kurum, the climate crisis cannot be separated from economic instability, geopolitical conflicts, food security, and growing inequalities in access to technology and finance.
Droughts, floods, extreme heat, and water scarcity affect not only the environment but also food production, industry, energy infrastructure, economic resilience, and public health.
Kurum reaffirmed that limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels remains a central objective of international climate policy.
Uzbekistan Among the First Five Countries Selected for BRIDGE
One of the most significant elements of the COP31 agenda for Uzbekistan is the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE), an initiative introduced by the Turkish Presidency in September 2026.
Uzbekistan was selected as one of the first five pilot countries, alongside Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
The initiative seeks to narrow the gap between national climate commitments and the financing required to implement them.
Its purpose is to support countries in developing investment-ready projects, strengthening institutional capacity, and connecting with potential financial partners.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as an implementation partner for BRIDGE.
For Uzbekistan, participation could provide an additional mechanism for preparing climate-related investment projects in energy, infrastructure, and other capital-intensive sectors.
However, BRIDGE should not be interpreted as a standalone investment fund. Selection as a pilot country does not automatically guarantee access to financing.
The critical question is which specific projects Uzbekistan will put forward, how well prepared they will be to attract capital, and which international financial institutions may be willing to support their implementation.
Climate Finance: US$300 Billion and US$1.3 Trillion Targets
Climate finance emerged as one of the central themes of COP31's opening discussions.
Murat Kurum recalled the goal agreed at the UN climate conference in Baku to provide at least US$300 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035.
A broader target also remains in place: mobilizing at least US$1.3 trillion annually from public and private sources.
Yet the amounts pledged are only part of the equation. The conditions under which countries can access these resources are equally important.
Developing economies continue to face high borrowing costs, difficulties in preparing financially viable projects, limited institutional capacity, and challenges in attracting private investment into infrastructure.
Against this background, initiatives such as BRIDGE are intended to help countries move from national strategies toward projects that potential investors can evaluate and finance.
For Uzbekistan, this is particularly relevant given the need to modernize its energy infrastructure, improve resource efficiency, and adapt its economy to climate change.
Energy Security and the "35 by 35" Initiative
Accelerating the electrification of the global economy is another major priority of COP31.
The Turkish Presidency is promoting the "35 by 35" initiative, which aims to increase electricity's share of final energy consumption to 35% by 2035.
Its key areas include expanding renewable energy, modernizing electricity grids, deploying energy storage systems, improving energy efficiency, electrifying transport, and reducing the carbon intensity of industry.
Australia's Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, who chairs the COP31 negotiations, emphasized that international climate cooperation is directly connected to global energy security.
He said the conference should help attract investment, develop infrastructure, and strengthen economic resilience.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also highlighted the economic consequences of volatile fossil fuel prices.
According to figures he presented, renewable energy saved the global economy US$265 billion during the first half of 2026.
For Uzbekistan, discussions on electrification have practical implications amid rising electricity demand, the expansion of solar and wind generation, the construction of new power facilities, and the need to improve grid reliability.
At the same time, developing energy infrastructure requires a comprehensive approach that considers not only electricity generation volumes but also technology costs, access to investment, and the resilience of the power system to climate risks.
Energy-Efficient Buildings: Another Opportunity for Climate Investment
In preparation for COP31, the Turkish Presidency also introduced the Antalya Compact for Energy-Efficient Buildings.
The initiative sets a target of reducing the operational energy intensity of the global building stock by 25% by 2035 compared with 2020 levels.
This area is becoming increasingly important as electricity consumption for air conditioning, cooling, and heating continues to rise.
For Uzbekistan, improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings could help reduce pressure on energy infrastructure and lower costs for consumers.
Such measures are particularly relevant in cities, where extreme summer temperatures increase electricity demand while expanding residential construction creates additional long-term energy requirements.
However, implementing energy-efficiency projects requires accessible financing mechanisms, technical standards, and economic incentives for developers and property owners.
Water, Food and Health Take Center Stage on COP31's First Day
The first thematic day of COP31, November 9, focuses on food, agriculture, and health.
Participants are discussing the effects of climate change on food security, agricultural resilience, water resource management, and public health.
One of the initiatives highlighted is the Antalya Initiative for Resilient Health Systems (AIR), developed with the participation of the COP31 Presidency, Türkiye's Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and international partners.
Its objective is to help countries strengthen the ability of their health systems to anticipate, adapt to, and respond to climate-related threats.
The first day's agenda also includes discussions on climate finance for agriculture, the role of women and young people in transforming food systems, and improving water resource management.
Particular attention is being given to the Turquoise Alliance, an initiative designed to connect sustainable water management, food security, and climate adaptation.
For Central Asia, these issues are especially important because irrigated agriculture depends heavily on water resources, hydrological conditions are changing, and demand for water is increasing across households, agriculture, and the energy sector.
Climate Change Continues to Accelerate
The opening of COP31 coincides with the release of new findings from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
According to the global climate update presented on November 9, the past 12 years have been the warmest in the instrumental record, while the past four years rank among the four hottest.
These trends underscore the growing urgency of adapting to extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and periods of unusually high temperatures.
Ahead of the conference, the presidencies of Türkiye, Australia, Brazil, and Azerbaijan also presented the Belém Mission to 1.5°C report, examining opportunities and barriers to achieving the Paris Agreement's temperature goal.
What COP31 Could Mean for Uzbekistan
For Uzbekistan, the conference's outcomes will be particularly relevant in three interconnected areas: access to climate finance, the resilience of energy infrastructure, and adaptation to growing water and climate risks.
Participation in BRIDGE offers an additional opportunity to prepare projects for international financing. However, its practical value will depend on the quality of the proposed project portfolio, the readiness of national institutions, and the terms under which investment can be secured.
Electrification and energy-efficiency initiatives could support power system modernization, reduce losses, and help cities become more resilient to extreme heat.
Meanwhile, discussions on water and food security highlight the need for better coordination between energy, agricultural, and climate policies across Central Asia.
The central question is whether international initiatives and financial commitments can be translated into concrete investments and measurable results.
COP31 will continue until November 20. Over the two weeks, participants are expected to discuss mechanisms for implementing climate commitments, adaptation finance, the energy transition, and other areas of international climate policy.
For Uzbekistan, one practical measure of success will be its ability to move beyond participation in international initiatives and toward developing and implementing projects that strengthen the national economy's resilience to climate change.
Kamila Fayzieva, reporting for UzDaily from Antalya
