Speech by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Samarkand International Climate Forum

Dear heads delegations!

Dear forum participants!

Ladies and gentlemen!

I cordially welcome you all to the international forum dedicated to the main challenge of our time - global climate change.

I am sincerely grateful for the participation of my respected colleagues - the leaders of the European Union and the Central Asian states, our reliable partners representing the United Nations, international financial institutions, global and national environmental organizations.

Your participation in the forum is an example of commitment to joint efforts in finding effective solutions to the most pressing issues of sustainable development.

I am convinced that here, in ancient Samarkand, which from time immemorial has been one of the centers for the generation of new ideas and knowledge, trust and creative partnerships, we can together develop effective responses to modern climate challenges.

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

Welcome to Samarkand!

Dear forum participants!

Last year, for the first time, the average global temperature increased by more than one and a half degrees Celsius. The last decade has become the hottest in the history of meteorological observations.

As ​​a result, we all today feel the negative impact of climate crises - the increase in the scale of forest fires and desertification, the shrinking of glaciers, the growing shortage of water resources, and deteriorating air quality.

I would like to emphasize that the responsibility for preserving the environment lies with all of us. This is a key issue on our agenda.

It should be noted that the countries of Central Asia have developed and unanimously approved a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Uzbekistan intends to work closely with all partners in the region on the practical implementation of common goals and objectives.

We also successfully cooperate with the European party within the framework of programs to mitigate the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea, rational water use, and expanding the share of “clean” energy sources. Such partnerships make an important contribution to the sustainable green development of Central Asia.

Undoubtedly, today the European Union is a global leader in advocating and promoting climate change issues. We are ready to further deepen practical cooperation in this area.

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

Climate change problems are inextricably linked to food and energy security.

Fertile lands are rapidly declining, while the population of the region in 25 years may exceed 100 million people. Today, more than 20 percent of the region’s total land area is subject to degradation. In a quarter of a century, yields could drop by a third.

In this regard, I believe it is vitally important to combine our scientific potential to increase the adaptability of the forestry and agricultural sectors, as well as strengthen food security within the framework of the Horizon Europe program.

Uzbekistan, in order to reduce the area of ​​degraded lands and mitigate the effects of climate change, is carrying out large-scale landscaping as part of the Yashil Makon project. In addition, drought-resistant plants have been planted on more than two million hectares of desert areas of the Aral Sea region.

I propose annually on the eve of the spring holiday Navruz to hold a regional tree planting campaign “Green Belt of Central Asia.”

I am confident that its organization will become our good tradition and symbol unity in confronting natural disasters.

Dear forum participants!

Uzbekistan has begun the transition to a resource-saving and environmentally friendly model of economic development.

One of the key areas here is “green” energy. We plan to increase the share of energy obtained from renewable sources to 54 percent in the next five years. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 16 million tons.

I would like to emphasize that we will make every effort to ensure that Uzbekistan fulfills its obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent under the Paris Agreement ahead of schedule.

However, we are not going to stop there.

We propose to create a Secretariat of the European Union initiative “Water - Energy - Climate Change” in Tashkent to mobilize funding, technologies and competencies.

In addition, as part of the implementation of general strategic objectives, the Concept of “green” development of the region will be presented at the forum.

I am confident that its adoption and subsequent implementation will create a solid foundation for the environmentally oriented development of Central Asia.

Dear members of delegations!

According to forecasts, by 2040, against the backdrop of a reduction in the flow of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, the countries of Central Asia will face high level of water stress.

We are already experiencing the consequences of one of the biggest tragedies of mankind - the drying up of the Aral Sea.

In order to save water resources, we concrete irrigation networks, created an industrial base for the production of water-saving technologies, which have already been introduced on almost half of our irrigated lands (that’s almost two million hectares). Thanks to such measures, last year we managed to save about eight billion cubic meters of water.

We urge you to join forces and launch a Regional Program for the introduction of water-saving technologies in Central Asia. For an expert discussion of these plans, we plan to hold an international forum in the Aral Sea region.

We also count on close cooperation with the EU within the framework of the Copernicus Program on conducting continuous satellite observations of the state of glaciers and early diagnosis of risks for mountain ecosystems in the region.

It can act as a common scientific and expert platform for the study and monitoring of climate processes in Central Asia Climate residence, created on the basis of the “Green University” in Tashkent.

In addition, tomorrow the Aral Cultural Summit will begin in Nukus, designed to draw attention to the environmental problems of our region through art projects.

Dear friends!

In conclusion, I would like to remind you of the famous saying:

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

Today our task is to make everything so that future generations live in a sustainable, safe and prosperous world.

And for this it is necessary to strengthen dialogue, unite the efforts of all states united by a common noble goal.

Thank you for your attention.

Official website President of the Republic of Uzbekistan