Geneva hosted a roundtable discussion dedicated to the UN General Assembly Resolution “Central Asia in the face of environmental challenges: strengthening regional solidarity for the sake of sustainable development and prosperity”, adopted on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The event, organized with the support of the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the United Nations, was attended by representatives of the diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as structural units of the UN and international organizations in Geneva.

At the event, the essence and meaning of this document were explained in detail. In particular, it was noted that the resolution contains specific tasks to effectively counter climate and environmental threats in Central Asia, including through the development of sustainable agriculture, landscaping, rational use of water resources, energy efficiency, waste recycling, development of sustainable tourism, creation of “smart cities” and sustainable transport.

At the same time, it was emphasized that special attention in the document is paid to the problems of the Aral Sea. In this regard, the relevance and practical activities of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region were noted.

Foreign diplomats and UN experts noted the timeliness and importance of the call for introducing innovative methods and new technologies in combating desertification and land degradation, as well as Uzbekistan’s initiative to create a Platform for water-saving technologies in Central Asia.

The participants also welcomed Uzbekistan’s initiative to hold an International Climate Forum in Samarkand in 2024, contributing to the search for solutions to global environmental threats.

Congratulations were expressed on successfully holding the 21st Session of the Committee to Review the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and a high-level meeting on combating sand and dust storms on November 13-17 in Samarkand.

B. Khudoyberdiyev, UzA