Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone, Turkmenistan, a high-level panel session titled “Enhancing Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Resilience” took place.

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, delivered a report on the country’s efforts to combat climate change. He highlighted that over the past 50 years, the average annual temperature in Uzbekistan has risen by 1.2 °C, and the number of drought days has increased by 20%. In 2023, nearly 40% of the country’s territory experienced severe drought, which heavily impacted the agricultural sector, contributing 17% to the GDP.

The minister emphasized the drying up of the Aral Sea as a critical example of the environmental crisis, threatening the health of about 1 million people and depriving them of their livelihoods.

He noted that under the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, measures are being implemented for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and ecosystem restoration. Sectoral adaptation plans have been developed, a law limiting greenhouse gas emissions adopted, carbon emission regulation mechanisms introduced, and a National Climate Change Strategy approved.

The Uzbek delegation’s presentation received strong support from international partners and made a significant contribution to the global dialogue on strengthening resilience to climate challenges.