On February 10, the opening ceremony of the first office in Central Asia of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) took place at the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change "Green University", in the Tashkent region.

The event was attended by IUCN Director General Gretel Aguilar, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministers of Ecology of Central Asian countries, representatives of international organizations, and representatives of local and international media.

For information, within the framework of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov held a meeting with IUCN Director General Gretel Aguilar. Along with further strengthening of cooperation, the parties discussed  the issue of opening the IUCN head office in Uzbekistan.

It was noted at the event that the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change is strengthening cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), thereby strengthening measures to protect the ecology of the region. It was also noted that the opening of the IUCN office in Uzbekistan is a guarantee of long-term and effective cooperation.

"Today, our planet is facing three main challenges: climate change, biodiversity, and air pollution. All countries must work together to solve these problems. Together with Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia, we are implementing new projects aimed at protecting the ecosystem of the region. The opening of the IUCN office is one of the important steps in this direction", Gretel Aguilar said.

In turn, Aziz Abdukhakimov noted that the opening of the IUCN office will further strengthen cooperation.

"Strengthening cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature is of great importance. Together, we are implementing projects that will serve to protect the environment, restore land, improve ecosystems, and stabilize the climate. I believe that this will certainly serve to improve the environmental situation in the region. This office will allow us to establish closer ties with Central Asian countries, partners, and the expert community", said the minister.

During the opening, the guests visited the IUCN office.

For information: in 2021, Uzbekistan became a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The IUCN is the world's oldest and largest conservation organization, uniquely composed of government and civil society organizations. It has observer status in the United Nations General Assembly and draws on the expertise, resources, and reach of more than 1,400 member organizations and more than 15,000 experts worldwide.