Central Asian Countries Unite for Sustainable Development

In recent years, Uzbekistan has significantly intensified its cooperation with Central Asian countries in the areas of environmental protection, sustainable natural resource management, and combating climate change. Joint programs, signed agreements, and multilateral initiatives have laid the foundation for creating a unified ecological space in the region — one built on the principles of sustainability and shared responsibility toward nature.

Partnership with Kazakhstan: Strengthening Practical Cooperation

Environmental cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan has a long history and is developing on a solid legal and institutional foundation. The Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Ecology and Environmental Protection, which entered into force in November 2024, marked a new chapter in bilateral collaboration.

The key coordination mechanism is the Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection and Water Quality in the Syrdarya River Basin. The group meets annually, conducting information exchanges and joint monitoring of the river’s condition to ensure timely responses to environmental risks. The most recent meeting was held in December 2024 in an online format.

Biodiversity conservation has become a priority area of partnership. In 2024, on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS COP14) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Conservation of Wildlife on the Ustyurt Plateau, which was later joined by Turkmenistan. In March 2025, the parties approved a Joint Roadmap of Actions for 2025–2030.

Regular mutual visits and ministerial participation in regional forums — such as the Samarkand Climate Conference (April 2025) and Eco Expo Central Asia in Tashkent (June 2025) — contribute to the exchange of best practices and the advancement of green technologies.

Cooperation with Kyrgyzstan: Focus on Mountain Ecosystems

Partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic, based on the 1996 agreement, covers a broad range of areas — from biodiversity conservation to environmental education and capacity building.

In July 2024, the Ministers of Ecology of both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide scholarship opportunities for Kyrgyz students at the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) in Tashkent. The university serves as a regional platform for training specialists who combine scientific expertise with practical regional experience.

Joint initiatives such as the International Conference “Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development” (Bishkek, April 2025) have strengthened regional cooperation on the conservation of mountain ecosystems and water resources.

In a multilateral context, Kyrgyzstan, alongside Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, actively participates in the management of the transboundary UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site “Western Tien Shan” and in implementing the Memorandum on the Conservation of the Snow Leopard and Its Ecosystems.

Cooperation with Tajikistan: Nature Without Borders

Environmental relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have been actively developing since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in June 2022. One of the key priorities has been the creation of transboundary protected natural areas, including a prospective project in the Zarafshan River floodplain.

Regular expert exchanges and participation in conferences and forums enable both countries to coordinate efforts in conserving rare species, promoting eco-tourism and improving environmental assessment systems.

Particular attention is given to joint initiatives within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD). The delegation of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan participated in the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation in Dushanbe, continuing Tajikistan’s initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.

Cooperation with Turkmenistan: Strengthening Transboundary Ties

Collaboration between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is based on the 2017 and 2021 agreements aimed at environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Both countries actively participate in international projects promoting sustainable land use and ecosystem conservation within the Amudarya River Basin.

A milestone in cooperation was the inclusion of the transboundary natural site “Temperate Turan Deserts” in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in September 2023. Preparations are also underway for a joint nomination of the Kugitang area — combining the Surkhan Nature Reserve in Uzbekistan and the Koytendag Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan.

Ministers of both countries regularly meet on international platforms, including the Samarkand Climate Forum and the UN Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries (Avaza, August 2025). In June 2025, Uzbekistan was elected Chair of the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI), with Turkmenistan serving as its Vice-Chair.

Shared Vision and Regional Solidarity

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with Central Asian countries extends beyond bilateral projects, encompassing joint participation in global initiatives — from the Memorandum on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey to the development of unified regional positions at UN Climate Conferences.

The establishment of the Central Asian University for Environmental and Climate Studies, the development of a network of transboundary protected areas, and participation in projects of international organizations all reflect the region’s shared aspiration to build a “green future” for Central Asia.