On June 2, the official opening ceremony of the international environmental exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 was held in Samarkand. The event brought together representatives from over 100 countries, heads of international organizations, investors, manufacturers of eco-friendly products, eco-innovators, as well as government officials and members of the expert community, according to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan.
The exhibition was officially launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change; Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP); and Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In his address, Abdukhakimov noted that Eco Expo Central Asia should serve as an effective platform for forging practical partnerships, developing investment-attractive environmental projects, launching new joint initiatives, and strengthening long-term international cooperation.
“May this exhibition serve as a vital catalyst for building a ‘green’ technological bridge between Central Asia and the global community, a bridge that connects innovations, investments, knowledge, and concrete solutions for the sake of sustainable development,” Abdukhakimov emphasized.
Abdukhakimov proposed the initiative to declare Samarkand the capital of “green” investments and innovations in Central Asia, underscoring the city’s growing role as an international hub for environmental diplomacy, “green” financing, and the promotion of sustainable technologies.
The Eco Expo Central Asia exhibition is aimed at promoting the “green” economy, integrating environmental technologies, and expanding international cooperation in sustainable development. Eco Expo Central Asia 2025, held in Tashkent, was the first environmental exhibition of such magnitude in Central Asia, bringing together around 7,500 participants and serving as a launchpad for over 130 environmental projects in collaboration with international partners.
In 2026, the exhibition is ascending to a new level, approximately 10,000 local and foreign participants are expected to attend, with over 68 pavilions showcasing eco-friendly products and services, alongside 20 startup platforms dedicated to eco-innovators from Central Asia. Within the framework of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, more than 50 side events, forums, and presentations are taking place, covering topics such as “green” energy, waste recycling, water resources management, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
