Within the framework of COP16 in Riyadh, with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Saudi Arabia, a ceremony was held to sign an agreement on the host country and establish an office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Tashkent. The document was signed by Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov and IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar.

"We are pleased that our cooperation with the IUCN continues to develop through joint projects and events, and I am sure that the establishment of an office in Tashkent will open up exciting new opportunities for cooperation. In Uzbekistan, we understand that environmental issues transcend political boundaries, which makes joining forces and cross-border cooperation extremely important. We are pleased that the IUCN office in Tashkent will serve not only Uzbekistan, but also the entire Central Asian region, contributing to regional cooperation in the field of nature conservation and sustainable development", said A.Abdukhakimov.

The agreement provides the legal framework for IUCN activities in Uzbekistan, marking an important milestone in a multi-year partnership. The Republic became a member of the Union in 2021. The document ensures more effective cooperation with government authorities and supports the IUCN's contribution to the development priorities of Uzbekistan and the region in a structured and effective manner.

"We are pleased to celebrate this significant event, which strengthens our partnership with Uzbekistan and lays the foundation for joint environmental and climate initiatives in the country and throughout Central Asia. We look forward to working closely with the Ministry and other partners, taking into account their needs and priorities in the field of nature conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. IUCN is sincerely grateful to Uzbekistan for giving us the opportunity to be more actively present in the region and make a more significant contribution to the region's efforts to preserve unique biodiversity and valuable natural resources", noted Grethel Aguilar.

The partnership between the IUCN and the Ministry of Ecology paves the way for effective joint efforts. Ongoing joint projects include the IUCN Regional Initiative "One Health in Nature Conservation", as well as a landscape and land restoration project launched jointly with IUCN, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

It is planned to expand cooperation by launching in the near future a project on integrated management of nature protection and restoration of especially valuable landscapes in Uzbekistan, organized jointly with the GEF and the United Nations Development Programme. 

These projects solve current environmental problems and embody the potential of innovative, scalable solutions for the benefit of people and nature.