The high-level event was attended by representatives of the governments of Central Asian countries, international organizations, the scientific community, and civil society. The new office will serve all five countries of the region — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — contributing to the implementation of their priorities in nature conservation, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
In his speech, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is pursuing a consistent and ambitious environmental policy, which has become an important part of the country’s sustainable development.
“We actively participate in regional initiatives such as CAREC, IFAS, CAMI, the Ramsar Initiative, and other platforms that allow us to unite efforts. In this context, I am proud to say that Uzbekistan, together with the IUCN, has opened a Central Asian Office not only for Uzbekistan, but to support environmental initiatives across all five countries of the region. Moreover, placing the office within Green University — the first university in the region specializing in environmental and climate issues — is no coincidence, but a strategic decision. This creates opportunities for students, scientists, researchers, and the IUCN team to work together and participate in regional activities,” the minister noted.
Mr. Abdukhakimov also stressed that the opening of the office symbolizes Uzbekistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint action for nature.
“We are grateful and pleased to mark the official opening of the IUCN Office in Tashkent — a symbol of strengthening our partnership with Uzbekistan and Central Asia as a whole. We express our deep appreciation to the Government of Uzbekistan,” said Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN. “This office is not just a physical presence. It reflects our determination to work side by side to conserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and build resilience to climate change. From supporting protected areas systems and promoting regional dialogue to developing policy frameworks and implementing practical conservation projects — we are ready to cooperate with governments and communities in Central Asia for a sustainable future for both nature and people.”
The new office will be not only a coordination hub but also a center of expertise, linking national and regional initiatives with IUCN’s global tools, including the Red List of Threatened Species, the Green List of Protected Areas, and the Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions. Dmitry Gorshkov, IUCN’s Regional Programme Coordinator for Central Asia, has been appointed Head of Office.
Among current projects is the “One Health in Nature Conservation” initiative, which integrates ecosystem and human health in landscape planning and management. The Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 project promotes transboundary cooperation on water resources and the development of hydro-diplomacy in the region. In Uzbekistan, the FOLUR sub-project contributes to the restoration of valuable natural ecosystems and sustainable land use.
The opening ceremony took place during the “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy,” underscoring the country’s environmental priorities. As part of its international commitments, Uzbekistan has already submitted its national biodiversity targets in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), successfully hosted the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP14), and is preparing to host COP20 under CITES.
https://gov.uz/en/eco/news/view/58655