President of Uzbekistan Meets UNCCD Executive Secretary on Sidelines of Samarkand Climate Forum
Samarkand, The Gulf Observer: On the margins of the Samarkand Climate Forum, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
During the meeting, Mr. Thiaw conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to President Mirziyoyev, commending Uzbekistan’s proactive engagement in addressing environmental challenges in the region.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UNCCD in the areas of combating desertification, mitigating land degradation, and promoting sustainable land management across Central Asia.
Mr. Thiaw praised President Mirziyoyev’s address at the forum, noting the significance and timeliness of the initiatives put forward, particularly the Green Development Concept for Central Asia. He emphasized that the proposals reflect a deep understanding of the region’s environmental needs and offer a forward-looking approach to countering climate change.
It was recalled with satisfaction that the United Nations General Assembly had unanimously adopted, in August 2024, a resolution on forest restoration initiated by Uzbekistan—an important milestone in advancing global efforts to combat desertification. Progress was also noted in the development of national targets aimed at preventing land degradation.
The two sides reached an agreement to involve UNCCD experts in the establishment of an International Scientific Network on Combating Land Degradation and Desertification, to be headquartered at the Green University in Tashkent. This initiative is expected to become a key platform for regional and international collaboration in research, policy, and practical solutions for sustainable land use.
Uzbekistan’s commitment to environmental sustainability and multilateral cooperation was reaffirmed, with both parties expressing readiness to deepen joint efforts in addressing the pressing challenges of desertification and climate resilience.
