The event was attended by the Chairman of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly Ahmad Shahid, President of Bolivia Luis Arce, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environmental Transition of Spain Teresa Ribera, permanent representatives of Member states, representatives of legislative, scientific, academic and public circles.

Topical issues of environmental protection and conservation of biological diversity, including the promotion of a lifestyle in harmony with nature, were discussed. Special attention is paid to the trends in the implementation of the principles of planet centric law and various initiatives in the field of legal philosophy of the Earth.

In his speech, Ahmad Shahid drew attention to the lag of the world behind the planned deadlines for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, he noted the importance of changing thinking and approach to the path of development.

"Our laws and strategies should reflect the current concept and understanding of rights. This includes the right to exist in a healthy environment, which requires harmony with nature and its ecosystems," Ahmad Shahid said.

The Chairman of the General Assembly recalled that in less than two centuries, the actions of mankind have destroyed entire ecosystems and accelerated the climate change of the planet on an unprecedented scale.

"We are destroying our own house - the only house we have, and we share everything," he added.

In turn, the Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN, Ambassador Bakhtiyor Ibragimov informed the participants of the event about the main priorities of Uzbekistan's environmental policy.

During the speech of our representative, the essence of the country's Strategy for the Conservation of Biological Diversity for 2019-2028 was revealed, which provides for the expansion of the area of protected natural zones to 12% of the territory of the republic; afforestation of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea with bringing the forest area to 1.2 million hectares; integration of biodiversity conservation issues into all sectors of the economy.

It was reported about the launch of the nationwide project "Yashil Makon" ("Green Edge").

The attention of the forum participants was drawn to the important initiatives put forward by the President of Uzbekistan on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

In particular, the proposal of the head of state on the development of the World Environmental Charter, designed to lay the foundations of a new UN environmental policy, was highlighted. It was emphasized that the development of such a document will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the efforts of the world community to preserve the planet for our children and future generations, including on the basis of planet centric approaches. Uzbekistan's readiness to hold one of the meetings of the parties to the UN Convention on Biodiversity in the future has been confirmed, the Dunyo news agency reports.

In conclusion, an appeal was made to the UN Member states and other interested parties to work closely in the implementation of the above-mentioned initiatives in order to accelerate the tasks of the Agenda for the period up to 2030 and promote the principles of "in harmony with nature".