Uzbekistan, World Bank Deepen Partnership on Green Economy and Climate Initiatives

Uzbekistan is strengthening its cooperation with the World Bank in the fields of ecology, environmental protection, and climate change.

Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov met with Gayane Minasyan, Head of Environment and Social Development Practice for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, to discuss new joint projects and strategies for a sustainable future, The Caspian Post informs via Uzbek media.

A key focus of the talks was the Resiland project, which aims to restore resilient forest landscapes across the Jizzakh, Namangan, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Syrdarya, and Surkhandarya regions. The initiative seeks to modernize forestry management, fight desertification and erosion, and foster regional cooperation among Central Asian nations.

Special attention was also given to air quality improvement efforts. With World Bank support, Uzbekistan is conducting a comprehensive air pollution assessment in Tashkent, while similar monitoring is underway in Termez, and a new project is set to launch in Namangan.

Under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership, environmental safety and the green economy have become state priorities. The year 2025 has been declared the Year of Environmental Protection and the “Green” Economy, with plans to boost the share of renewable energy to 60 per cent.

The meeting also touched on upcoming international events. The World Bank was invited to participate in the CITES COP20 Conference in Samarkand (24 November - 5 December 2025), the 8th Global Environment Facility Assembly (31 May - 5 June 2026), and to present its pavilion at Eco Expo Central Asia - 2026.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation and developing new initiatives for environmental protection and sustainable growth.