Collaboration is key to protecting our planet’s future - Mirziyoyeva

On April 4, Uzbekistan’s Assistant to the President, Saida Mirziyoyeva, participated in the Samarkand Climate Forum, which began its work. She shared her thoughts on the event via her Telegram channel.

“Today, the Central Asia Climate Forum started its work in Samarkand. It is a great honor for me to present Uzbekistan’s efforts in combating climate change,” Mirziyoyeva wrote.

According to her, Central Asia is one of the regions most vulnerable to natural factors, and the Aral Sea disaster has become a symbol of the global environmental crisis.

“Currently, under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the ‘Green Development of Central Asia’ concept is being developed. It covers all areas, from green technologies to sustainable urbanization. We hope this concept will be adopted at the COP30 forum,” the Assistant to the President stated.

She also emphasized that developing the Aral Sea region and Karakalpakstan remains a priority.

“In this regard, we are working in three directions: ecology, infrastructure, and cultural restoration. Tomorrow, the Aral Culture Summit, set to be held in Nukus, will serve as a unique platform for dialogue between science, art, and society,” Mirziyoyeva wrote.

“Only together can we protect our planet and build a better future for our children, grandchildren, and all future generations,” she added.

The Samarkand International Climate Forum took place today, April 4. Participants included António Costa (President of the European Council), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (President of Kazakhstan), Sadyr Japarov (President of Kyrgyzstan), Emomali Rahmon (President of Tajikistan), Serdar Berdimuhamedov (President of Turkmenistan), Odile Renaud-Basso (President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), Tatiana Molcean (Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe), Ana Claudia Rossbach (Executive Director of the UN-Habitat program), Ibrahim Thiaw (Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification), and others.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also addressed forum participants via video message. Over 2,000 foreign guests participated in the forum, including leaders of national and global environmental organizations, representatives of international institutions, experts, scientists, journalists, and business representatives.

Discussions focused on pressing climate challenges facing Central Asia, promoting ecological stability, advancing "green" economic development, and strengthening regional cooperation to combat climate change.