Ziroat Mirziyoyeva participates in the forum held in Baku

On November 12, the First Lady of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, is participating in several events related to this year’s main gathering on climate policy and sustainable development. This was reported by UzA.

A forum on "Youth Leadership in Climate Action" was held as part of the COP29 summit in Baku. The First Lady of Uzbekistan, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva; the First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva; the First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan; and the First Lady of Kyrgyzstan, Aygul Japarova, took part in the event, organized in cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. High-ranking representatives from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Hungary, UN bodies, international organizations, and young eco-activists from these countries also attended.

In her speech, the First Lady of Uzbekistan, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zamin International Public Foundation, congratulated the government and people of Azerbaijan on the successful organization of COP29. She extended her gratitude to First Vice President and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for supporting the joint forum in cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

It was noted that the adverse effects of climate change significantly impact young people—babies, children, and teenagers—and that millions of youth suffer daily from natural disasters, droughts, and shortages of water and food.

"The fight against these challenges is inconceivable without the conscious and active involvement of the younger generation. I am proud to note from this distinguished platform that today, the youth of Central Asia and Turkic nations are becoming an essential part of this global movement," said Ziroat Mirziyoyeva.

The First Lady of Uzbekistan shared her thoughts on promising areas of cooperation. At the end of her speech, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva addressed the youth, saying:

"Today, you are leading the movement against climate change. Your determination, innovative ideas, and initiatives will bring us all closer to our common goal. Know that your efforts and dedication will undoubtedly change our lives and our shared space called Earth."

During the event, environmental activists from Uzbekistan, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan issued a call for governments to enhance youth participation in climate-related processes.

Youth representatives also presented climate-related initiatives developed during environmental camps held in the region, including Uzbekistan. Their main proposals included the formation of an international advisory committee, the creation of a digital platform for knowledge-sharing and coordination of regional and national climate projects, and the establishment of a "Young Climate Champions" international community to promote sustainable development and environmental literacy among young people. For the sustainable implementation of these initiatives, an Advisory Committee on the Environmental Agenda was established, comprising representatives from government and public organizations, young eco-activists, entrepreneurs, scientists, and experts. To support the committee’s decisions, a Board of Trustees composed of ministers of youth affairs, ecology, and education from Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Turkey was formed.

The headquarters of the Advisory Committee will be located in the new World Youth Office in Tashkent. A global fund for supporting youth initiatives and projects will also operate under this office.

The forum's main event was the signing of an international strategy by Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey. This strategy aims to foster a culture of sustainable development and engage children and youth in the climate agenda for the 2024-2030 period.

This document, based on recommendations from young eco-activists, is designed to establish a global foundation for effective collaboration among government bodies, educational institutions, public and scientific organizations, children, and youth in the fight against climate change. The strategy is intended to increase opportunities for young people to engage in environmental initiatives, including advancing environmental education and "green" skills development.