Uzbekistan and UNCCD Agree to Develop a Regional Environmental Investment Portfolio for Central Asia

Developing a regional portfolio of investment projects was a key outcome of a meeting between Aziz Abdukhakimov, Chairman of Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The meeting took place on the sidelines of COP17 in Mongolia.

The discussions focused on restoring degraded land, combating desertification and reducing the impacts of sand and dust storms across Central Asia. Particular emphasis was placed on moving from strategic planning to the implementation and financing of practical projects that strengthen the resilience of the region’s ecosystems.

The portfolio is to be developed with support from the UNCCD and its Global Mechanism. Potential financing partners include the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.

A priority will be establishing a Regional Early Warning Center for Sand and Dust Storms. Financial, technical and expert support would help strengthen monitoring and forecasting, improve early warnings for communities and relevant services, and reduce the socioeconomic and environmental damage caused by these events.

The meeting also considered a proposed Central Asian Investment Programme, which could bring together projects in three priority areas:

• reducing dust and salt emissions across the region;

• restoring saxaul ecosystems in the Kyzylkum Desert;

• developing a regional early warning system for sand and dust storms.

The proposed programme would draw on international financing, technical expertise and modern technologies for ecosystem monitoring and restoration.

Yasmine Fouad also highlighted the growing role of Green University as a Central Asian research and education hub for ecology and sustainable development. Both sides emphasized the importance of training specialists and strengthening the scientific knowledge needed to address transboundary environmental challenges.

The agreements aim to translate regional environmental priorities into practical projects with clear financing arrangements, designated implementing partners and measurable results.

📌 Source: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan