On January 30, Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov met with the founder of the New Innovative Climate Center at the Tashkent State University of Economics (TSUE) in the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Rae Kwon Chung.

The event was also attended by the Minister's Advisor, Suna Park, the Rector of TSUE, Professor Kungiratboy Sharipov, and the Director of the Climate Centre, Laylo Yakhshiboeva.

During the meeting, several issues related to the further development of cooperation were discussed. In particular, the main problems associated with the creation of the Climate Council, namely, the lack of scientific research data, lack of experts and scientists in the field of climate change, and lack of space or networks for bringing together environmental scientists.

In turn, it was noted that the Central Asian University of Environment and Climate Change (Central Asian Green University) and the National Climate Center, which operate in the "Hub&Spot" format, play a key role in systemic problem-solving.

The issue of attracting expert teachers to conduct training for the Hokims of Uzbekistan within the framework of the Green Cities project was also discussed.

Following the meeting, the following agreements were reached:

— Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TSUE and Central Asian Green University, including joint lectures, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between the new innovative Climate Center of TSUE and the National Climate Center of the Ministry;
— Development of a plan for bilateral cooperation through the exchange of proposals and ideas between the New Innovative Climate Center and the Ministry of Ecology;
— Organization of the official visit of ex-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Uzbekistan for the first Samarkand Forum in April 2024.

For reference: Professor Rae Kwon Chung is a Nobel Prize winner and founder of the New Innovative Climate Center. Previously, he served as Chief Advisor to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on climate change, as well as South Korea's Ambassador on Climate Change. Currently, he works as a professor at the Tashkent State University of Economics.