Uzbekistan proposes Central Asian climate integration model to address regional challenges

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday proposed a Central Asian climate integration model to address shared environmental challenges, including melting glaciers, water scarcity and extreme droughts.

Addressing the high-level segment for heads of state and government at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Türkiye's southern province of Antalya, Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of regional cooperation and outlined three pillars for the proposed framework: information sharing, technology and financing.

Under the information-sharing pillar, he proposed establishing a regional climate-risk information infrastructure and early warning system with support from the World Meteorological Organization, along with common indicators and mechanisms to monitor gradual climate-related changes.

The technology pillar would focus on green solutions to restore degraded land, capture carbon in arid regions and combat dust and sandstorms.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan planned to transform its annual Central Asia Eco Expo into a permanent investment and technology platform for regional environmental solutions.

He also called for sustainable climate financing mechanisms developed in cooperation with development banks, including concessional grants and innovative financing instruments tailored to regional needs.

“Central Asia needs reliable and sustainable sources of financing that reflect the region's specific conditions and needs,” he said.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan had already achieved its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 35% ahead of schedule and had set a new goal of a 50% reduction by 2035.

He added that renewable energy would account for 54% of Uzbekistan's energy mix within four years, while water-saving technologies were already being used on 60% of irrigated land.

The Uzbek leader urged participating countries and international organizations to turn the proposed climate integration model into concrete cooperation, stressing that no country could tackle climate change alone.

Decade of climate resilience and adaptation

Separately, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of Turkmenistan's Halk Maslakhaty, proposed declaring 2028-2037 a decade of climate resilience and adaptation, establishing a global partnership for climate technology transfer and developing an international environmental code under the UN.

Berdimuhamedov said the initiatives were aimed at strengthening international climate cooperation, mobilizing resources and improving developing countries' access to environmentally friendly technologies.

He also proposed establishing the Ashgabat Climate Dialog as an international platform for climate cooperation, with its inaugural meeting scheduled for 2027 in the Turkmen capital.

He announced that the Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia would begin operations in Ashgabat in early 2027, describing it as a significant step toward stronger regional cooperation.

The center, initiated by Turkmenistan with support from regional countries and international partners, will work closely with the UN and other international institutions, he said.

Berdimuhamedov also emphasized the need for coordinated regional action against desertification, announcing Turkmenistan's initiative to establish a regional center dedicated to combating desertification in Central Asia.

“I would like to emphasize that Turkmenistan will continue to steadfastly fulfill its international obligations under the Paris Agreement and the agreements reached at Global Climate Forums. We stand ready to engage in substantive, in constructive cooperation with all interested states and international organizations,” he concluded.

Georgia reaffirms commitment to international climate cooperation

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, meanwhile, reaffirmed his country's commitment to international climate cooperation, stronger adaptation policies and emissions reductions.

"Our government confirms its readiness to closely cooperate with international partners and contribute to all global initiatives, which are addressed to ecological stability, improvement of the environment," he said.

He emphasized that only through joint, coordinated and responsible action could the world build stronger societies, more resilient economies and a safer future for children.

COP31 opened Monday and runs through Nov. 20, marking the first time Türkiye has hosted the UN climate conference, with Australia chairing the negotiations.

The conference agenda focuses on climate finance, adaptation and the transition to clean energy."