Uzbekistan Proposes Regional Environmental Collaboration at COP-28

During the COP-28 International Climate Forum in the UAE, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov, met with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Executive Secretary, Mrs. Tatiana Molchan, at the "Uzbekistan" pavilion in Dubai.

Aziz Abdukhakimov congratulated Mrs. Molchan on her recent appointment and shared that Uzbekistan has successfully launched its environmental efficiency assessment system. Considering the transboundary nature of environmental issues in Central Asia, he proposed developing a regional report covering five countries to enhance awareness and cooperation.

The minister also mentioned Uzbekistan's upcoming membership in the Aarhus Convention, and highlighted the "3-30-300" concept, focusing on greening cities with specific targets for tree coverage and green areas.

Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized Uzbekistan's commitment to processing 60% of solid household waste by 2028, reducing methane emissions, and closing and processing 167 waste landfills. He suggested integrating public-private partnerships in managing protected natural areas and ecotourism.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue cooperation with UNECE on nature conservation and restoration. Aziz Abdukhakimov invited Mrs. Molchan to present at the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) in Samarkand on February 12-17, 2024.