Central Asian countries join forces for sustainable development

In recent years, Uzbekistan has significantly intensified cooperation with Central Asian countries in the field of ecology, environmental management and the fight against climate change. Joint programs, signed agreements and multilateral initiatives form the basis for the creation of a single ecological space in the region, based on the principles of sustainable development and mutual responsibility to nature.

Partnership with Kazakhstan: strengthening practical interaction

Environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan has a long history and is developing on a solid legal basis. The current Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection, which entered into force in November 2024, has opened a new page in the joint work of the two countries.

The key coordination mechanism is the Uzbek-Kazakh joint working group on environmental protection and water quality in the Syrdarya River basin. Meetings of the group are held annually, and the exchange of information and joint monitoring of the state of the river allow for a timely response to environmental risks. The last meeting of the parties took place in December 2024 in an online format.

An important area of ​​the partnership was the conservation of biodiversity. In 2024, on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP14) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the conservation of the wildlife of the Ustyurt Plateau, which was later joined by Turkmenistan. In March 2025, the parties approved the Action Roadmap for 2025–2030.

Regular mutual visits and participation of ministers in regional forums, such as the Samarkand Climate Conference (April 2025) and the Eco Expo Central Asia exhibition in Tashkent (June 2025), contribute to the exchange of best practices and the development of green technologies.

Cooperation with Kyrgyzstan: focus on mountainous ecosystems

The partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic, based on a 1996 agreement, covers a wide range of areas - from biodiversity conservation to training in the field of ecology.

In July 2024, the ecology ministers of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide grant places for Kyrgyz students at the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change (Green University) in Tashkent. The university has become a platform for training specialists combining scientific knowledge and regional experience.

Joint events, such as the International Conference “Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development” (Bishkek, April 2025), strengthen regional cooperation on the conservation of mountain ecosystems and water resources.

In a multilateral format, Kyrgyzstan, along with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, actively participates in the management of transboundary sites of the World Natural Resources UNESCO heritage "Western Tien Shan", as well as in the implementation of the Memorandum on the conservation of the snow leopard and its ecosystems.

Cooperation with Tajikistan: natural areas without borders

Relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the field of environmental protection are actively developing after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in June 2022. One of the priorities was the creation of transboundary protected natural areas, including a promising project in the floodplain of the Zarafshan River.

Regular exchange visits of experts, participation in conferences and forums allow countries to coordinate actions to preserve rare species, develop eco-tourism and improve the environmental assessment system.

Particular attention is paid to joint initiatives within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development (ICSD). The delegation of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan took part in the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Conservation in Dushanbe, which was a continuation of Tajikistan’s initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Glacier Conservation.

Cooperation with Turkmenistan: strengthening cross-border ties

Interaction between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is based on agreements 2017 and 2021, aimed at protecting the environment and preserving biological diversity. Both countries are actively involved in international projects promoting sustainable land use and protection of ecosystems in the Amu Darya basin.

A landmark event was the inclusion of the transboundary natural site “Turan Temperate Deserts” on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in September 2023. A joint dossier is also being prepared to include Kugitang on the UNESCO list (Surkhan Nature Reserve in Uzbekistan and Koytendag Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan).

Ministers of the two countries regularly meet at international platforms, including the Samarkand Climate Forum and the UN Conference for Landlocked Countries (Avaza, August 2025). In June 2025, Uzbekistan was elected chairman of the Central Asia Mammal Initiative (CAMI), and Turkmenistan was elected vice-chairman.

Shared vision and regional solidarity

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the countries of Central Asia goes beyond bilateral projects. It covers joint participation in global initiatives - from the Memorandum on the conservation of migratory species of birds of prey to the development of a common position of the countries of the region at the UN Climate Change Conferences.

The creation of the Central Asian University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change, the development of a network of transboundary protected natural areas and participation in projects of international organizations reflect the common desire of the countries of the region to form a “green future” of Central Asia.

Anvar Tursunaliev,

Chief Specialist of the Department of International Cooperation

and ratings of the Ministry of Ecology

Environmental Protection and Climate Change