As part of the Eco Expo Central Asia 2025, a parallel session was held on “Empowering women in migrant families and enhancing resilience: climate change adaptation in Uzbekistan from a gender perspective”.

The event was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the support of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The session emphasized the need for sustainable, inclusive, and gender-responsive approaches to climate change adaptation policies and programs. Particular attention was given to women’s challenges in climate-vulnerable regions who are left without decision-making support, especially in families where the primary breadwinner has migrated abroad for work.

“Women play a vital role in ensuring the resilience of households in rural and climate-vulnerable areas”, said Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “However, without access to information, resources, and decision-making processes, their potential cannot be fully realized. Women must not only participate but also take leading roles in climate-related decision-making”.

The session highlighted successful pilot projects implemented in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Kashkadarya region. In these areas, women are gaining access to natural resource management and active involvement in developing the green economy through educational programs, grant support, and other mechanisms. Key priorities identified during the discussion included gender equality, women’s economic independence, and the enhancement of leadership potential.

The session concluded with a call to strengthen cross-sectoral and international cooperation to ensure equal access for women to resources, opportunities, and decision-making frameworks in the context of climate change.

Muhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA