Biosaline Agriculture Center Strengthens Ties with Uzbekistan

In December 2025, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) conducted an official visit to Uzbekistan as part of its ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, efficient water and land management, climate resilience, and innovation in Central Asia.

The visit included high-level meetings and technical consultations with government officials and academic partners, building on ICBA’s existing projects and long-standing collaboration with Uzbekistan, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

On December 12, ICBA Director General Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi met with Uzbek President’s Advisor on Ecology and Chair of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change Aziz Abudakhlikov, alongside Mohammed Naseeb Al Dhaheri from the UAE Embassy in Tashkent. Discussions focused on current cooperation, national environmental priorities, climate adaptation, and sustainable development initiatives.

Dr. Alzaabi emphasized Uzbekistan’s central role in ICBA’s work in Central Asia. She highlighted collaboration with government, national partners, and academia to advance climate-resilient agriculture, water and land management, and sustainable rural development. The visit provided an opportunity to assess progress, align approaches with stakeholders, and strengthen coordination on scalable initiatives.

Special attention was given to translating applied research into measurable results that improve resilience, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Current ICBA projects in Uzbekistan focus on climate-smart agriculture, integrated water and land management, and capacity building.

The delegation also met with Shahriyor Nurulloev, Vice-Rector of the Central Asian Green University, alongside ICBA experts Dr. Houda Chelaifa and Dr. Marguba Rejapova. They discussed technical and academic cooperation, including plans for a spirulina cultivation laboratory in Tashkent, aimed at strengthening research capacity and supporting integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems in Karakalpakstan.

Overall, the visit reinforced ICBA’s long-term commitment to Uzbekistan and Central Asia, highlighting the importance of sustainable partnerships combining policy dialogue, academic collaboration, and on-the-ground project implementation. It underscored a shared focus on science-driven solutions to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development in saline and climate-vulnerable regions.