Mirziyoyev proposes holding World Youth Climate Forum in 2027

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed holding a World Youth Climate Forum in Uzbekistan in 2027, Report informs, citing the president's press service.

Mirziyoyev made the proposal at the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, according to the presidential press service.

He said environmental education and the active involvement of young people are vital for advancing the climate agenda and environmental culture.

Mirziyoyev noted that an advisory committee on ecology involving young people from Central Asian countries was established at COP29 in Baku, and proposed using that platform to hold the forum in Uzbekistan in 2027.

He also said Uzbekistan was saving about 10 billion cubic metres of water annually through water conservation measures.

The share of green energy in the country had reached 30% and was expected to exceed 50% by the end of the decade, he said.

Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan had fulfilled its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule by cutting emissions by 35% and aimed to raise that figure to 50% by 2035.

He added that two waste-to-energy plants would begin operating this year, while another nine were due to be launched over the next two years.

That would allow the country to process up to 5.5 million tonnes of waste annually and generate 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, he said.

Mirziyoyev said the adoption of the Ecological Solidarity in Central Asia declaration and an action programme through 2030 at the summit would make an important contribution to regional cooperation in partnership with UN bodies.

He also proposed creating a Clean Air of Central Asia consortium, establishing a green trade corridor, launching a single investment portfolio for climate projects and developing a regional atlas of environmental change.

In addition, he proposed preparing a Red Book of Central Asia in coordination with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and expanding scientific cooperation on monitoring land degradation.

Mirziyoyev concluded by inviting partners to take part in the eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, to be held in Samarkand from May 31 to June 5, and in the World Water Conservation Forum later in September.