Within the dynamic setting of the UN Conference on Climate Change, a pivotal event unfolded at COP28 within the Central Asian Pavilion in Dubai, Government Portal of Uzbekistan reported. The session, "Solidarity and Unity in the Face of the Triple Planetary Crisis Challenges," saw high-level participation from key figures, including the Assistant Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Organization for Forests and Forests (UNFF) and environmental ministers from three Central Asian countries.
The esteemed guests included Melis Turgunboev, Minister of Natural Resources of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan; Yerlan Nysanbaev, Minister of Ecological and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecological, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The primary objective of the event was to amplify the discourse on ecology and climate change on UN International Platforms. Additionally, the participants aimed to throw support behind a resolution proposed by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, to address the triple planetary crisis.
Delving into the global concerns, the gathering highlighted issues facing the international community, with a particular focus on the triple planetary crisis. Discussions encompassed emerging challenges, such as waste management and the alarming loss of biodiversity.
Experts presented alarming statistics, revealing that in the past 30 years, air temperatures have surged by 1.5 degrees, posing a threat to both water resources and per capita water availability. If unchecked, these changes could lead to a 25% reduction in agricultural productivity and a 40% decline in biodiversity.
Yerlan Nysanboyev emphasized that climate change could result in significant economic losses, currently accounting for 2% of the world's gross domestic product.
Aziz Abdukhakimov drew attention to regional issues, including air pollution and the loss of biodiversity in the Aral Sea, exacerbated by salt and sand-dust storms. Shockingly, more than 30 mn out of 70 mn people in the Central Asian region are grappling with the adverse effects of air pollution.
Melis Turgunboev urged for stronger regional cooperation, emphasizing the need for stable management of transboundary water resources, food security, and sustainable development in the region.
The event played a crucial role in expressing the unified stance of Central Asian states on international standards, showcasing the region's interests and ideas. The Minister proposed the inclusion of Central Asian countries in the recently established loss and damages fund, emphasizing its potential to attract financial resources to compensate for climate change-induced damages.
In fact, during COP28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan underscored the pressing necessity for global collaboration in tackling climate challenges. He accentuated the repercussions on worldwide sustainable development and drew attention to the detrimental consequences of climate change in Central Asia, with a specific emphasis on the Aral Sea catastrophe. His address urged a focused awareness of the distinct challenges faced by the region.
“We intend to increase the area of green zones in cities to 30%. In order to create a resilient protective belt on the desiccated seabed of the Aral Sea, we have planted forests on an area of over 2mn hectares,” President Mirziyoyev stressed.
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