On 7 October 2026, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Chair of Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, met with Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). They discussed cooperation on land and forest restoration, soil protection, sustainable water use, combating desertification, chemical safety and the development of green cities.
Uzbekistan’s cooperation with FAO includes more than 10 projects with over US$33 million in grant funding. These include a €3.9 million FAO–EU project on the safe management of hazardous chemicals. Tashkent and Samarkand have also joined the FAO Green Cities Network.
Abdukhakimov called for moving from initiatives to projects with clear timelines, funding sources and measurable outcomes. The sides discussed developing a regional Central Asia Green Shield project to establish protective forest belts and green barriers against land degradation, desertification, sand and dust storms. They also considered advancing the Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) programme and the possibility of hosting its programme office at Green University in Tashkent.
The meeting also focused on making Samarkand a pilot green city, with proposed measures including microforests and small botanical gardens in mahallas, water-efficient landscaping and mulching. Qu Dongyu shared China’s experience in forest and land restoration, including in arid areas. Participants also discussed soil fertility, workforce training, pesticide safety and a climate project in Karakalpakstan.
The two sides agreed to continue developing a project portfolio to attract international climate finance, including support from the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility. Uzbekistan also invited the FAO Director-General to Eco Expo Central Asia 2027 in Tashkent.
📌 Source: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
