At the CMS COP14 international conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, an agreement has been reached to further enhance cross-border cooperation with Tajikistan in environmental conservation efforts, the Ministry of Ecology reported. This agreement comes following a meeting between Aziz Abdukhakimov, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, and Bahodur Sheralizoda, the Chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The meeting commenced with Minister Abdukhakimov expressing gratitude to Chairman Sheralizoda for his participation in the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. Among the key topics discussed was Uzbekistan's extensive reforestation program, particularly in the Aral Sea region, where 2 mn hectares of dried-up bottom are being revitalized. Additionally, Uzbekistan highlighted its "Yashil Makon" project, which aims to plant approximately 200 mn trees annually, with the objective of increasing green spaces to 30% of the country's territory.
Minister Abdukhakimov emphasized Uzbekistan's commitment to expanding the network of protected natural areas, with recent increases bringing the total area to 14% of the republic's territory. These efforts align closely with the goals of the UN Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability.
A crucial aspect of the discussion centered on strengthening cross-border cooperation. Minister Abdukhakimov highlighted the role of the newly opened office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Uzbekistan in developing long-term action plans for managing transboundary facilities. Uzbekistan reiterated its support for regional dialogue and emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in Central Asia, proposing the creation of a cross-border wholesale market in the region.
“As stated in the greeting of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the opening ceremony, we support the improvement of regional dialogue and the development of cross-border cooperation in Central Asia. We are interested in creating a cross-border wholesale market in Central Asia on the border territories of our countries”, Minister Abdukhakimov noted.
Furthermore, Tajikistan, alongside Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, formally joined the Raptors memorandum. The Raptors memorandum, a working document of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), aims to coordinate international action for the conservation of migratory birds in Africa and Eurasia.
Following fruitful discussions, both parties agreed to intensify cooperation to ensure a favorable environmental situation in the region. This agreement underscores the shared commitment of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan towards environmental conservation and sets the stage for collaborative efforts in addressing regional environmental challenges.
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