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

Dear Heads of Delegations,

Dear forum participants!

Ladies and gentlemen,

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

I am sincerely grateful for the participation of my esteemed 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 has been one of the centers for the generation of new ideas and knowledge, trust and creative partnership, we will be able to work together to develop effective responses to modern climate challenges.

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

Welcome to Samarkand!

Dear forum participants!

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

As a result, we are all feeling the negative impact of climate crises today – the spread of forest fires and desertification, the shrinking of glaciers, the growing shortage of water resources, and the deterioration of air quality.

I would like to emphasise 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 the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change.

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 side within the framework of programs to mitigate the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea, rational water use, and expand the share of "clean" energy sources. Such partnerships make an important contribution to the sustainable green development of Central Asia.

There is no doubt that the European Union is now a global leader in protecting and promoting climate action. We are ready to further deepen practical cooperation in this area.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!

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

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

In this regard, I consider it vital to combine our scientific potential to increase the adaptability of forestry and the agricultural sector, as well as to strengthen food security within the framework of the Horizon Europe program.

In order to reduce the area of degraded land and mitigate the effects of climate change, Uzbekistan is carrying out large-scale landscaping within the framework 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 to hold a regional tree planting campaign "Green Belt of Central Asia" every year on the eve of the spring holiday of Navruz.

I am sure that its organization will become our good tradition and a symbol of unity in resisting 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 from renewable sources to 54 percent in the next five years. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 16 million tons.

I want 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 EU Water-Energy-Climate Change Initiative in Tashkent to mobilize financing, technologies and competencies.

In addition, as part of the implementation of general strategic tasks, 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 a high level of water stress.

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

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

We call for joining efforts and launching the 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 look forward to close cooperation with the EU within the framework of the Copernicus Programme to conduct continuous satellite observations of the state of glaciers and early diagnosis of risks to mountain ecosystems in the region.

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

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 recall the well-known saying:

"We don't inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

Today, our task is to do everything to ensure that future generations live in a sustainable, secure and prosperous world.

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

Thank you for your attention.