These days, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together heads of state and government from more than 80 countries, heads of authoritative international organizations and financial institutions, and over 30 thousand representatives from around the world.

Uzbekistan is represented at the summit at the highest level.

On November 12, the First Lady of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, participated in several events related to climate policy and sustainable development at this year’s main event.

As part of the summit, a forum was held on youth-led actions on climate change.

The event, jointly organized by the Uzbek and Azerbaijani sides, was attended by the First Ladies of Uzbekistan Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, Türkiye Emine Erdoğan, and Kyrgyzstan Aigul Japarova. High-ranking representatives of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Hungary, UN structures and international organizations, and young environmental activists from these countries were also present.

The meeting began with the guests being introduced to the art installation “Indivisible”, developed by environmental activists from Uzbekistan and the participating countries. The panel is made using a patchwork technique, where each piece of fabric symbolizes an endangered plant unique to each country. This project, calling for the preservation of natural heritage, reminds us of the indivisibility of nature and humanity.

In her speech, the First Lady of Uzbekistan, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the “Zamin” International Public Foundation Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, congratulated the government and people of fraternal Azerbaijan on organizing COP29 at a high level and also thanked the First Vice President, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, for her personal support of the joint forum, held in cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. 

It was emphasized that the negative consequences of climate change significantly impact the younger generation, children, and adolescents, millions of whom suffer daily from natural disasters, drought, and water and food shortages.

“It is impossible to imagine the fight against these phenomena without the young generation – our future, without its conscious and active participation. It is a great honor for me to emphasize from this authoritative rostrum that the youth of Central Asia and the Turkic peoples are today becoming an integral part of this global movement”, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva noted.

The First Lady of Uzbekistan shared her vision of promising areas of cooperation.

It is about expanding enlightenment work and green content to increase young people’s level of knowledge of climate, establishing a systemic and regular climate dialogue with representatives of the younger generation, stimulating the creation of environmental start-ups, and using artificial intelligence to expand young people’s capabilities in the fight against climate change.

Following her speech, Ziroat Mirziyoyeva addressed the young men and women: “Today, you are at the forefront of the movement to combat climate change. Your determination, new ideas, and initiatives unite us even more on the path to a common goal. Know: your activity, determination, and actions will change our lives and help preserve our common home – planet Earth”. 

At the event, environmental activists from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye made a statement calling on governments to empower the younger generation to take a meaningful part in the process related to climate change.

They also presented their climate initiatives developed during regional eco-camps, one of which was held in Uzbekistan.

Key proposals are the creation of an international advisory committee and a digital platform providing a space for knowledge sharing and coordination of regional and national climate projects, as well as an international network of environmental activists called Young Climate Champions aimed at promoting sustainable development and increasing environmental literacy among young people.

The Transboundary Ecosystems project envisages implementing projects to preserve transboundary natural sites, such as reserves, rivers, and animal migration routes.

Eco-activists presented an educational interactive map with visual content, including VR video.

All these initiatives are already being implemented, and for their sustainable implementation, an Advisory Committee on the Environmental Agenda has been created from representatives of state and public youth organizations, young eco-activists, entrepreneurs, scientists, and experts.

A representative Board of Trustees, which includes ministers of youth, ecology, and education from Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Türkiye, will support the committee’s decisions.

The Advisory Committee will be based in the newly opened World Youth Office, which has its headquarters in Tashkent. The Fund for Supporting Youth Initiatives and Projects will operate globally.

The main event of the forum was the signing by Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye of the International Strategy for Promoting a Culture of Sustainable Development and Involving Children and Youth in the Climate Agenda for 2024-2030.

Based on recommendations from young environmental activists, the document is intended to lay a global foundation for constructive interaction between government agencies, educational institutions, public and scientific organizations, children, and youth in the fight against climate change. It aims to expand the opportunities for the younger generation to actively participate in environmental initiatives, including through environmental education and the development of green skills.

UzA