Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan held consultations to discuss preparations for the upcoming Regional Environmental Summit in Astana and to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in environmental protection.
Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, held a video meeting with Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, and also conducted an in-person meeting with Beibut Atamkulov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan.
During the video conference, the participants discussed coordination of positions ahead of the Regional Environmental Summit, including priority agenda topics, key environmental challenges, and potential joint initiatives or statements that could be presented at the event.
The sides also addressed cooperation in the field of forest management, noting the importance of sharing experience in sustainable forest resource management, implementing joint projects and programs, and expanding scientific and technical collaboration between relevant institutions of both countries.
Another topic of discussion was the draft Memorandum of Cooperation on the conservation of the saiga antelope. Participants reviewed possible coordinated measures aimed at protecting the population of this rare species and discussed the next steps required for the signing of the document.
The discussions also covered issues related to air quality monitoring and improvement. The participants reviewed recent monitoring data, opportunities for joint scientific research and environmental projects, and prospects for establishing an interstate coalition to improve air quality.
In addition, the sides examined practical steps for implementing the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in ecology and environmental protection, signed on 22 December 2022. Within this framework, they discussed the approval of regulations for a joint Uzbek-Kazakh commission and the formation of its membership.
During the meeting with Ambassador Beibut Atamkulov, the parties also addressed further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the context of upcoming international environmental events. These include the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, and the Eco Expo 2026 international exhibition scheduled to take place in Samarkand.
The discussions also explored potential cooperation in reducing air pollution, including possible relocation of certain industrial facilities and greenhouse operations, development of transboundary protected natural areas, and joint measures to conserve the saiga population.
The participants noted that strengthening environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will contribute to addressing shared environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development across the region.
📌 Source: National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
