At a high-level segment of the UN Climate Change Conference (CoP30) in Belém, Brazil, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, underscored Central Asia’s acute vulnerability to climate change, noting accelerating land degradation and diminishing water resources. He reported that regional temperatures have already risen by 2.2 °C and that glaciers are losing up to 0.5% of their volume each year.
Abdukhakimov also announced a new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target for Uzbekistan: the country aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions per unit of GDP by 50% by 2035, relative to 2010 levels.
The Minister outlined plans to expand renewable energy, increase forest cover, and modernize the waste management system. He highlighted the significance of the Green University initiative and the planned regional centre for combating desertification.
Abdukhakimov invited conference participants to attend the Eighth GEF Assembly and the Eco Expo Central Asia, which will take place in Samarkand from 31 May to 5 June 2026.
