Delivering opening remarks at the session, Deputy Minister of Ecology Jusipbek Kazbekov emphasized that climate change is already having a significant impact on natural resources, agriculture, water security and the sustainability of ecosystems across Central Asia, while climate-related factors are becoming one of the key drivers of increasing population mobility.
It was noted that issues related to migration and human mobility should be integrated into national and sectoral climate adaptation plans, while scientific and analytical capacities, as well as interagency and international cooperation, should be further strengthened. Particular attention was given to Uzbekistan’s initiatives aimed at advancing the development of a Global Pact on Climate Migration and a “Regional Declaration on Population Mobility in the Context of Climate Change.”
During the panel discussion, Director of the National Climate Change Center Farrukh Sattarov also delivered remarks and took part in discussions on climate mobility and regional cooperation.
On the sidelines of the forum, representatives of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change held a meeting with Arthur Erken, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Andrew Gray, Chief of Mission of the IOM in Uzbekistan. During the meeting, the parties discussed the interlinkages between climate change, migration, and sustainable development, as well as prospects for further cooperation with the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. Particular attention was paid to joint projects focused on studying the impact of extreme heat on the health of migrants and supporting women from migrant families living in communities exposed to climate risks.
The parties also discussed population migration linked to the consequences of the Aral crisis. The importance of expanding the activities of the United Nations Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region and strengthening international support for the most vulnerable communities was emphasized.
Following the events, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening cooperation and advancing joint initiatives in the areas of climate adaptation, sustainable development and the management of climate-induced human mobility.
https://gov.uz/en/eco/news/view/167458