Samarkand to become the Green Investment and Innovation Capital of Central Asia
The Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly, a major international event in ecology, is currently being held in Samarkand.
At the opening ceremony, Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, read out a welcoming address from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Assembly participants.
In his congratulatory message, the Head of State noted that humanity faces unprecedented challenges – climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution – and emphasized the Global Environment Facility’s special role in overcoming them.
It was also noted that in Uzbekistan, environmental transformation is viewed as a new development model, and the transition to systematic project management has enabled the implementation of five national programs covering atmospheric air protection, biodiversity conservation, waste management, greening, environmental education, and the development of environmental culture.
The President’s congratulatory message outlined several initiatives. In particular, it proposed declaring Samarkand the Green Investment and Innovation Capital of Central Asia. It also noted that the Ulugbek Research Institute for Sustainable Development is being established at the Central Asian University for the Study of Environment and Climate Change, in cooperation with Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development. In addition, the creation of a National Center for Climate Change and Hydrometeorology was announced to develop effective solutions to mitigate the consequences of climate change.
On the basis of the Institute for Combating Desertification, the Head of State proposed promoting the “desert economy” initiative in the Aral Sea region, aimed at mitigating the consequences of desertification, creating green shields, and ensuring climate adaptation, to be implemented in harmony with GEF priorities and with international financial and technical support.
An initiative was also proposed to hold the Tashkent Investment Forum “Sustainable Development and Green Investments” in 2027, within the framework of which the Eco Expo Central Asia is planned to be organized.
It was particularly noted that in his address, the Head of State stated Uzbekistan’s readiness to join the Global Environment Facility’s group of donor countries.
The events are attended by ministers and heads of relevant agencies from more than 180 countries, heads of international organizations, representatives of business circles, the scientific community, and civil society.
Representatives of international organizations expressed gratitude to the country’s government for the high level of organization of the 8th Assembly and emphasized the event’s great importance in addressing global environmental problems.
High-level plenary sessions, ministerial meetings, thematic roundtables, civil society forums, project presentations, and exhibitions have been organized as part of the Assembly. Issues such as increasing resilience to climate change and its consequences, preserving biodiversity, combating land degradation and desertification, managing water resources, and reducing environmental pollution are being discussed. Particular attention is being paid to the GEF’s new financial program for 2026-2030 (GEF-9), under which a comprehensive approach combining nature protection, climate issues, and efforts to combat pollution will be developed.
Golib Khasanov, UzA
