The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change signed a Statement of Intent during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The agreement marks a step in implementing the GEF-8 Umbrella Programme to support Uzbekistan’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the preparation of its seventh national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
This initiative aligns with Uzbekistan's declaration of 2025 as the "Year of Environment Protection and Green Transition," reaffirming its commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development. The updated NBSAP will provide a strategic roadmap for conserving Uzbekistan's unique ecosystems and natural heritage.
In 2023-2024, Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian nation to officially publish new National Biodiversity Conservation Targets under the CBD. The next phase involves formulating a revised NBSAP and completing the seventh national report to the CBD, advancing the country's efforts to safeguard biodiversity.
The signing at COP16 underscores the interconnected nature of global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. These issues, often driven by poverty and unsustainable resource use, are integral to a broader planetary crisis.
The collaboration between UNDP and Uzbekistan highlights a comprehensive approach to resilience-building, addressing the root causes of land degradation and desertification. This strategy integrates global frameworks on biodiversity conservation, drought management, and climate change adaptation.
UNDP's new regional strategy for Central Asia and the Caucasus aims to bolster resilience through innovative solutions, encompassing 30 national and sub-regional projects. Initiatives like the Aral Sea region's rehabilitation are central to this effort, demonstrating the importance of regional cooperation in tackling multidimensional risks.
UNDP has invited partners to leverage this strategy as a foundation for future programming in Central Asia and the Caucasus, ensuring sustainable progress in biodiversity conservation and environmental resilience.
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