From 30 May to 6 June 2026, Samarkand became a global hub for environmental dialogue by hosting the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the 71st GEF Council Meeting. For the first time in its history, the GEF Assembly was held in Central Asia, bringing together representatives of 186 countries, international organizations, financial institutions, academia, the private sector, civil society, youth and Indigenous Peoples.
The event highlighted the growing role of Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region in shaping international environmental and climate policy. Throughout the week, participants engaged in discussions on climate action, biodiversity conservation, land degradation, sustainable water management, pollution reduction and the transition to a green economy.
One of the Assembly’s major highlights was the address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who presented a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional and global cooperation for sustainable development.
Among them was the proposal to establish Samarkand as the “Green Capital of Investment and Innovation in Central Asia”, creating a regional platform for green finance, environmental technologies, scientific collaboration and innovative solutions for sustainable development.
Another significant announcement was Uzbekistan’s decision to become a donor country to the Global Environment Facility, demonstrating its commitment to contributing directly to global environmental solutions.
According to Aziz Abdukhakimov, Chair of the Eighth GEF Assembly and Chair of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, the Assembly demonstrated a strong spirit of international cooperation and collective responsibility in addressing environmental challenges.
The programme featured nine high-level roundtables, more than fifty side events, dozens of bilateral meetings and expert discussions. The GEF Council adopted important decisions related to the upcoming GEF-9 replenishment cycle, updates to the STAR allocation system and the implementation framework for next-generation integrated programmes.
A major focus of discussions was the launch of GEF-9, which will be guided by the integrated approach of “Nature – Climate – Pollution”, promoting stronger linkages between environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development. Participants also emphasized the importance of expanding support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The Assembly resulted in agreements supporting national and regional environmental projects valued at more than USD 80 million. In addition, Central Asian countries agreed to jointly develop a regional programme for the conservation of big cats and their ecosystems under the future GEF-9 framework.
Another key achievement was the official launch of the Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) programme, designed to strengthen regional cooperation on sustainable water and land management.
Throughout the forum, discussions focused on mobilizing environmental finance, strengthening private-sector engagement, promoting innovative financial instruments and increasing the effectiveness of environmental investments. Participants stressed that environmental goals can only be achieved through coordinated action among governments, international organizations, businesses and society.
Alongside the Assembly, Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 welcomed approximately 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries, showcasing environmental technologies, green innovations, start-ups and sustainable investment opportunities.
The exhibition led to agreements supporting nearly 300 green projects and initiatives worth approximately USD 520 million, making it one of the most significant environmental investment platforms in the region.
According to international media monitoring data, the Assembly generated around 500 media mentions in 15 languages across more than 70 countries, demonstrating strong international interest in Central Asia’s environmental agenda.
The Eighth GEF Assembly in Samarkand marked a major milestone in advancing global environmental cooperation, launching new partnerships and accelerating collective efforts toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
📍 Source: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
