As part of the event, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the opening of an IUCN office in the Green University building. This agreement is aimed at ensuring the effective operation of the office and further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The high-level event was attended by representatives of Central Asian Governments, international organizations, the scientific community and the civil sector. The new office will serve all five countries in the region - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - contributing to the implementation of their priorities in the field of nature conservation, biodiversity and resilience to climate change.
In his speech, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is pursuing a consistent and ambitious environmental policy that has become an important part of the country's sustainable development.
"We are active participants in regional initiatives such as CAREC, IFAS, CAMI, the Ramsar Initiative and other platforms that allow us to join forces. In this context, I am proud to say that Uzbekistan, together with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has opened a Regional Office not only for Uzbekistan, but also to support environmental initiatives in all five countries of the region. Moreover, the location of the office at Green University, the first university in the region specializing in ecology and climate change, is not an accident, 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 said.
A. Abdukhakimov also stressed that the opening of the office is a symbol of Uzbekistan's commitment to regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and joint actions in the name of nature.
"We are grateful and encouraged by the opportunity to celebrate the official opening of the IUCN office in Tashkent, a powerful symbol of our deepening partnership with Uzbekistan and other countries in the Central Asian region," said IUCN CEO Dr. Gretel Aguilar. "This office is not just a physical presence, it reflects our commitment to working together to preserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and increase resilience to climate change. From supporting the management of protected natural areas and developing regional dialogue to agreeing on policy frameworks and implementing local conservation programs, we are here to work hand in hand with Central Asian authorities and residents to achieve long–term results in the interests of humanity and nature."
Located at Green University, the office will also develop interaction with IUCN members, creating new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Its opening coincided with Uzbekistan's declaration of 2025 as the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy," which confirms the government's close attention to sustainability and viability.
In Central Asia, IUCN implements various initiatives ranging from environmental management and support for protected and conserved natural areas to nature-based solutions and integrated approaches to addressing biodiversity and climate issues. The current portfolio of projects includes the Unified Health in Nature Conservation initiative, which integrates ecosystem and human health into landscape planning and management. The Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 project promotes the development of cross-border water cooperation and diplomacy in the water sector in the five republics. In Uzbekistan, the FOLUR project supports the restoration of habitats with high natural value and promotes sustainable land use.
These projects reflect IUCN's integrated, intersectoral approach to nature conservation based on science, policy, and partnership. Under the leadership of Dmitry Gorshkov, the newly appointed Regional Coordinator, the Central Asia team will manage the implementation of IUCN programs and serve as a regional coordination and knowledge center. The office will connect national and regional stakeholders with global tools and standards, including the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species, the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Natural Areas, and the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions.
With the opening of a representative office in Central Asia, IUCN is strengthening its role as a long-term partner in the field of nature conservation and sustainable development, supporting countries in achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework on Biodiversity and global efforts to curb and reverse the process of biodiversity loss.
