The summit is also attended by the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, as well as heads of state and governments of several other countries, international organizations and financial institutions.
By the agenda of the forum day, issues of ensuring sustainable development, promoting innovation, green economy and regional connectivity were discussed.
In his address, the President of Uzbekistan noted that today, energy diversification and the drastic reduction of hydrocarbons’ share in the energy mix are the key factors in mitigating the consequences of climate change, ensuring sustainable development and global security.
It was emphasized that the strategic goal of New Uzbekistan is to ensure environmental stability and transition to a resource-efficient green economic development model.
“It is, therefore, that we have declared the year 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy in Uzbekistan”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The President of Uzbekistan noted that the country has developed a long-term Low-Carbon Development Strategy and a National Green Finance Program. The share of green components in investment projects will be increased by up to 50 percent in the next five years.
Work is underway to introduce national systems for monitoring emissions of greenhouse gases and quotas trade in emissions. By 2030, it is planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent, followed by a phased increase in this indicator.
As part of the Green Space Program, at least 30 percent of urban areas will be transformed into green spaces. Systemic measures are being taken to increase the introduction of water-saving technologies in agriculture to 100 percent.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid attention to rapidly increasing the green capacity to fully satisfy the energy needs of our fast-growing economy.
“Over the past 5 years, we have attracted almost $20 billion of foreign investment into the energy sector and built 9,6 gigawatts of new energy capacity. For instance, 14 solar and wind power plants with 3,5 gigawatts capacity and 2 energy storage systems with 300 megawatts capacity have been commissioned”, the Head of state noted.
More than 50 major projects with 24 gigawatts of energy capacity worth over $26 billion are underway with foreign partners. By 2030, it is planned to increase the share of renewable energy in the country to 54 percent.
“Today, green development has reached the level of a nationwide movement in Uzbekistan”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The Head of state emphasized the importance of building regional cooperation to turn Central Asia into one of the centers of development of the green economy and clean energy.
The first steps were taken to revive the Great Silk Road through energy connectivity. A multilateral agreement recently signed with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan within the framework of COP-29 will make it possible to export green energy to Europe.
“I would like to underline that the United Arab Emirates is our reliable and strategic partner in green energy”, the Leader of Uzbekistan said.
In recent years, the investment portfolio with the Emirates has exceeded $26 billion. Among them, renewable energy projects are the main driver.
Together with Masdar, 5 facilities for electricity production with a total capacity of 1.5 gigawatts were commissioned. 3 projects will be implemented to create generating capacities of 1.6 gigawatts, and energy storage systems with a capacity of about 520 megawatts per hour will be built.
Similar projects are also carried out with other leading UAE companies and partners from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, and China.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that Uzbekistan is interested in the joint realization of Central Asia’s enormous potential in solar, water, and wind energy and the production of green hydrogen.
According to preliminary estimates, Uzbekistan alone has the potential to generate 500 gigawatts of solar, 100 gigawatts of wind, and 10 gigawatts of hydropower.
Our region is also rich in uranium and other key strategic raw materials.
“In this direction, we are ready to provide all favorable conditions for our foreign partners”, the Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized.
He invited prestigious research centers, experts and scientists participating in this forum to actively cooperate in implementing research and innovation programs with the Green University established in Tashkent.
Based on this University, it was proposed to establish an International Research Network for Combating Land Degradation and Desertification.
It was noted that Uzbekistan put forward initiatives to mitigate the consequences of global climate change at the COP28 and COP29 summits in Dubai and Baku, as well as other international forums.
Among them is establishing an International Center for Climate Loss and Damage Assessment, to ensure the safety of river ecosystems, setting up a Regional Hub for Water-Saving Technologies and a Plant Genetic Resources Bank.
“We are ready to start practical work with all of our partners”, the President of Uzbekistan noted.
He also invited representatives of the countries participating in the summit to the Global Youth Digital Green Initiatives Festival that will take place in the Aral Sea region on International Climate Day – May 15.
Following his speech, the Leader of Uzbekistan again emphasized the openness of New Uzbekistan for broad practical cooperation on the path of sustainable and green development.
