Uzbekistan has proposed new initiatives to promote “green” cooperation with the Republic of Korea and the countries of Central Asia

The forum presented the results and priority areas of Uzbekistan in the field of landscaping and restoration of degraded lands. In particular, it was noted that more than 1 billion seedlings have been planted as part of the nationwide “Yashil Makon” project, the country’s landscaping level has increased from 8 to 14 percent, and by 2030 the goal is to bring this figure up to 30 percent.

It was also noted that forest plantations have been created on the dried‑up bed of the Aral Sea over an area of about 2 million hectares. Furthermore, in cooperation with the World Bank, a project to restore forest landscapes and develop ecotourism infrastructure is being successfully implemented.

During the Ministerial Dialogue, Uzbekistan proposed establishing the “Korea – Central Asia: Green Cooperation” format and moving on to the practical implementation of the “Green Belt of Central Asia” initiative. As part of this proposal, it is envisaged that, with the participation of the Republic of Korea, the UNCCD, and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), pilot areas, measurable indicators, implementation deadlines, and funding mechanisms will be identified.

Special attention was also paid to the initiative to create a regional program for the conservation and modernization of saxaul forests. The program will include genetic research, seed production technologies, satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence, and the creation of a Unified Digital Atlas of saxaul plantations.

In addition, in order to attract investment in land restoration, it has been proposed to create a regional carbon hub with the participation of Korean companies and financial institutions. At the same time, an initiative has been put forward to develop, in collaboration with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the “Arid Lands Carbon Standard,” which takes into account the high cost and complexity of implementing carbon projects in desert and arid regions.

During the event, the Research Institute for Combating Desertification and Developing Desert Economy at Green University was identified as a regional scientific and practical platform. Based on this platform, joint research, field trials, and pilot projects will be implemented with the participation of Korean and Central Asian scientists.