Global leaders to discuss climate challenges at Samarkand forum in April  

The first Samarkand Climate Forum will take place on April 4-5 at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center, as announced by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

World leaders, politicians, experts, and activists will gather to discuss the pressing climate challenges facing Central Asia and the world at the forum.

"Under the theme “Central Asia Faces Global Climate Challenges: Uniting for Common Prosperity,” the forum aims to serve as a high-level platform for fostering dialogue on environmental sustainability, green economic development, and climate resilience. The focus will be on regional and international cooperation, with expert panels, plenary sessions, and political dialogues addressing key topics such as the development of renewable energy, integrated water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urban development," the report stated.

One of the main topics will be the Aral Sea crisis, a stark example of a global environmental disaster. Experts and government officials will explore potential solutions for land restoration in the affected areas, combating desertification, and addressing the socio-economic impacts of climate change.

The forum is expected to be attended by the leaders of Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as representatives from the European Union, the UN, international financial institutions, and leading environmental organizations. This participation underscores the shared commitment to green transformation and sustainable development in the region.

A key outcome of the event will be the presentation of the final document of the Samarkand Forum: the Regional Concept of "Green" Development. This document will form the foundation for a unified regional vision on climate change and outline the approaches of leading international organizations to addressing environmental issues in Central Asia.

It is also worth noting that Samarkand will host the Central Asia-European Union summit on April 3-4, prior to the climate forum. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend the summit, which will be chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.