In early April, the ancient city of Samarkand will take center stage in the global fight against climate change. On April 4–5, Uzbekistan will host the international conference “Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Shared Prosperity.” This high-level gathering will welcome presidents from Central Asia, senior European Union officials, UN representatives, and experts from across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The conference is a direct result of the Samarkand Initiative for Solidarity in the Name of Common Security and Prosperity, launched by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2022. This initiative seeks to create a platform for international cooperation in confronting shared global threats. In today’s world, climate change stands at the top of that list.
With rising global temperatures, accelerated glacier melt, water scarcity, desertification, and biodiversity loss, the climate crisis has become one of the defining challenges of our time. According to recent reports from the World Meteorological Organization, the planet has lost nearly 9,200 gigatons of ice since 1976—raising sea levels and displacing hundreds of thousands of coastal residents.
Five of the past six years have seen record glacier retreat, and permafrost zones may disappear before the end of this century. In response, international action has accelerated since the 2015 Paris Agreement, including annual COP summits—yet rising geopolitical tensions have complicated meaningful progress.
In this global context, Central Asia has emerged as a region of resilience and unity. Despite environmental fragility and limited water resources, the five countries of Central Asia have shown a remarkable willingness to work together. Shared geography and shared vulnerability have inspired collaborative approaches to climate adaptation, resource management, and green development.
The data is sobering. Over the last 60 years, average temperatures in Central Asia have risen by 1.5°C—more than twice the global average. Glaciers, the source of over 80% of the region’s freshwater, have shrunk by 30% in 50 years. By 2050, water shortages could rise by 30%, just as the population approaches 100 million and demand for irrigation increases by another 30%. The World Bank projects that agricultural yields may decline by as much as 40% due to climate change if adaptation is not accelerated.
Uzbekistan, at the heart of the region, is playing a leading role in this transformation. Under President Mirziyoyev’s leadership, the country has embraced green development as a national priority. Strategic frameworks such as the Strategy for Transition to a Green Economy until 2030, the Environmental Protection Concept, and the Waste and Biodiversity Strategies are guiding the nation toward sustainability.
Over the past five years, nearly $20 billion in foreign investment has flowed into Uzbekistan’s energy sector. The country has already commissioned 14 solar and wind power plants and two major energy storage systems. By 2030, renewable energy is expected to make up more than half of the national energy mix, while greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 35%.
Major initiatives are also underway to green urban spaces, introduce water-saving technologies in agriculture, and build environmental awareness through public education. The "Yashil Makon" (Green Space) program aims to ensure that at least 30% of Uzbekistan’s urban areas are covered in greenery.
On the global stage, Uzbekistan has become a driver of climate diplomacy. At recent COP summits, President Mirziyoyev proposed the creation of an International Center for Damage and Loss Assessment, a Regional Hub for Water-Saving Technologies, and a Plant Genetic Resource Bank. These practical solutions are designed not only to protect Uzbekistan’s future, but to help shape global resilience.
Uzbekistan’s leadership has also helped secure two key UN General Assembly resolutions: one declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovation and another focused on strengthening regional environmental cooperation. Reforestation efforts on the dried Aral Sea bed have already led to millions of new trees, helping restore biodiversity and reduce pollution.
This year, Uzbekistan continues to host critical climate events. In February, Samarkand welcomed the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species. In May, the Aral Sea region will host the Global Youth Festival of Digital Green Initiatives. In September, Tashkent hosted a groundbreaking forum on food security and climate adaptation in landlocked developing countries.
The momentum is building toward a sustainable regional future. Central Asia’s leaders have adopted a Green Agenda and are now working together on a Regional Strategy for Climate Adaptation. Uzbekistan’s new Green University in Tashkent is also becoming a hub for environmental research and training. Plans are underway to build an International Research Network to fight land degradation and desertification.
During the upcoming Samarkand conference, Uzbekistan will present its draft Regional Concept for Green Development, opening the door to deeper regional cooperation. And on April 10, Tashkent will host another international gathering—focused specifically on water diplomacy. This event will bring together officials and water experts from Central Asia, Afghanistan, Europe, and the United Nations to discuss joint solutions to one of the region’s most sensitive and vital issues.
Amid global uncertainty and rising international tensions, Central Asia is offering a different model—one based on trust, dialogue, and regional solidarity. Through its proactive climate leadership and commitment to cooperation, Uzbekistan is helping to place Central Asia at the forefront of the global climate agenda.
The Samarkand Climate Conference will not just address environmental risks—it will show how shared challenges can become a foundation for shared prosperity.
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