Uzbekistan Strengthens Its Role in International Environmental Policy

Abstract

This paper examines Uzbekistan’s environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, and climate change initiatives within the framework of regional and international cooperation. As one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, Uzbekistan possesses diverse ecosystems, including deserts, mountains, wetlands, and river valleys, which require comprehensive environmental management. Since joining the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 1995, the country has implemented numerous projects aimed at biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, low-carbon transportation, and the elimination of ozone-depleting substances. Financial support from the GEF has strengthened Uzbekistan’s capacity to fulfil its international environmental commitments and promote sustainable development. The paper also highlights Uzbekistan’s growing leadership in regional environmental diplomacy through its active participation in the Regional Environmental Summit (RES 2026), the Central Asian Conference on Climate Change (CACC-2026), and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS). Furthermore, it discusses Uzbekistan’s role as the host of the Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly in Samarkand, which serves as a global platform for addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, water resource management, land degradation, and the transition to a green economy. Overall, the study demonstrates that Uzbekistan has become an influential regional actor in advancing environmental sustainability, fostering international partnerships, and promoting coordinated actions to address transboundary environmental and climate challenges in Central Asia.