A meeting was held between Aziz Abdukhakimov, Adviser to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA). The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and identifying priority areas for the development of sustainable agriculture in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
During the meeting, the Uzbek side expressed its appreciation to ICBA for its long-standing cooperation with Uzbekistan, as well as for the center’s high level of technical expertise in agriculture under arid conditions and the development of salt-tolerant crop varieties. Special emphasis was placed on the leadership of Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi and the international experience of ICBA in supporting climate-resilient agricultural systems.
Aziz Abdukhakimov подчеркнул, что Karakalpakstan is one of the most environmentally vulnerable regions of the country, facing challenges related to desertification, soil salinization, water scarcity, and the long-term impacts of the drying of the Aral Sea. In this context, the restoration of degraded lands and the strengthening of local food systems have been identified by the Government of Uzbekistan as key priorities. The primary objective of joint efforts is the establishment of sustainable agricultural production systems in degraded areas of Karakalpakstan.
To achieve this goal, the project “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan”, financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is currently being implemented. As part of the project, more than 1,500 farmers across seven districts have received training, and seeds of 12 tested crop varieties adapted to saline and arid conditions have been distributed. In 2025, an Integrated Agro-Aquaculture System (IAAS) with a total value of UZS 1.97 billion was established under the project. The facility was officially inaugurated in September this year during the visit of Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
The meeting also highlighted key national environmental reforms currently underway in Uzbekistan. In particular, it was noted that, by Presidential Decree, the Ministry of Ecology was transformed into the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and the position of Adviser to the President on Ecology was established. These institutional reforms demonstrate the country’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance, improving oversight mechanisms, and accelerating efforts to conserve biodiversity.
Special attention was given to the establishment of the Central Asian Research Center for Ecology and Environment, which aims to develop a digital database on arid region ecosystems, forecast environmental changes under desertification and salinization, and design science-based strategies for natural resource management, water management, and sustainable agriculture.
In conclusion, the Uzbek side informed ICBA that Uzbekistan will host the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the international exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia–2026, scheduled to take place from 30 May to 6 June 2026, and invited ICBA’s leadership to actively participate in these events, including in discussions on environmental financing solutions.
The meeting concluded with an introductory tour for the foreign delegation of the newly established Central Asian Research Center for Ecology and Environment, where guests were presented with the center’s research priorities, scientific infrastructure, and plans for developing a regional digital environmental data platform.
📌 Source: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
