President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan delivered an address at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, stressing Uzbekistan's commitment to aggressive climate action and advancing practical solutions to mitigate climate impacts globally.
In his speech, President Mirziyoyev congratulated Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on the successful organization of the conference and praised Azerbaijan’s proactive approach in fostering international partnerships for climate resilience.
President Mirziyoyev emphasized the critical challenges climate change poses worldwide, including its impact on poverty, food, energy, water security, and its potential to heighten geopolitical tensions.
“Climate change is now emerging as a major global threat, and directly influencing the escalation of geopolitical tensions. It primarily exacerbates the problems of poverty eradication, food and energy security, as well as access to water and resources,” Mirziyoyev voiced.
He stressed that these issues are felt especially acutely in Central Asia, where climate-induced difficulties threaten both quality of life and the pursuit of sustainable development. The president reiterated Uzbekistan’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to maintain global temperature increases within 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius.
"Our main goal under the Paris Agreement is to prevent the region from outpacing temperature rise," he said, unveiling Uzbekistan’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and expand this commitment to 2050.
To achieve this, Uzbekistan aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 40% through the development of electric vehicle and green hydrogen industries, along with solar and wind energy hubs. Uzbekistan is also implementing a “Yashil Makon” (Green Space) program to expand green areas.
Highlighting the importance of regional collaboration, President Mirziyoyev announced Uzbekistan’s participation in a multilateral agreement to supply green energy to the European Union, underscoring the country’s growing role in the global renewable energy market.
The president then introduced several key proposals to foster international collaboration:
- International Centre for Climate Loss and Damage Assessment: President Mirziyoyev proposed establishing this center to help developing countries better assess climate-related losses and risks, with technical support from major powers and multilateral institutions.
- Declaration on Ecological Safety for River Ecosystems: Reflecting on the devastating disappearance of the Aral Sea, he proposed a UN-led declaration aimed at preserving transboundary water resources and sustainable biodiversity.
- Regional Genetic Resources Bank: Uzbekistan plans to launch a genetic resources bank in collaboration with global institutions to improve agricultural resilience to climate change.
- Alliance of World Climate Capitals: To enhance sustainable urban development, President Mirziyoyev suggested creating an alliance for climate-affected cities worldwide, with Tashkent hosting the first forum.
- Global Youth Festival of Digital Green Initiatives: He extended an invitation for global participation in a youth-led festival to be held on May 15, 2025, in the Aral Sea region, aligned with International Climate Day.
President Mirziyoyev concluded by reaffirming Uzbekistan’s commitment to open dialogue and partnership, urging global leaders to join forces in the pursuit of green development and climate resilience.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)