On 16 September 2026, Aziz Abdukhakimov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, took part in the Korea–Central Asia Ministerial Forum on Forestry and Climate and the Ministerial Dialogue held in the Republic of Korea.
Uzbekistan presented the results of its national programmes on greening and restoring degraded land. Under the nationwide “Yashil Makon” initiative, more than 1 billion seedlings have been planted, increasing the country’s green coverage from 8 to 14 per cent. Uzbekistan aims to raise this figure to 30 per cent by 2030.
Forest plantations have also been established across approximately 2 million hectares of the dried Aral Sea bed. With support from the World Bank, Uzbekistan is implementing a project to restore forest landscapes and develop ecotourism infrastructure.
During the Ministerial Dialogue, Uzbekistan proposed establishing a new “Korea–Central Asia: Green Cooperation” format and moving towards the practical implementation of the Central Asian Green Belt initiative. With the participation of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), the initiative would identify pilot areas, measurable indicators, implementation timelines and financing mechanisms.
The discussions also highlighted a proposed regional programme for the conservation and modernization of saxaul forests. The programme could include genetic research, improved seed-production technologies, satellite monitoring, the use of artificial intelligence and the creation of a Unified Digital Atlas of Saxaul Forests.
To attract investment in land restoration, Uzbekistan proposed establishing a regional carbon hub with the participation of Korean companies and financial institutions. It also proposed developing an “Arid Lands Carbon Standard” jointly with UNCCD and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking into account the specific conditions and high costs of carbon projects in desert and arid regions.
The Research Institute for Desertification Control and Desert Economy at Green University was designated as a regional scientific and practical platform. It will support joint research, field testing and pilot projects involving scientists from Korea and Central Asian countries.
📌 Source: National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
