TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 13. Uzbekistan and
Kazakhstan held discussions on enhancing cooperation in
environmental protection and sustainable development in preparation
for the upcoming Regional Environmental Summit in Astana,
Trend reports via the Kazakh Embassy in Uzbekistan.
The talks were held during a meeting between Uzbek Presidential
Advisor on Ecology, Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology
and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, and Kazakh Ambassador in
Tashkent, Beibut Atamkulov.
The two sides exchanged perspectives on improving air quality,
promoting urban greening, and restoring natural ecosystems. They
also evaluated the implementation of their respective national
greening initiatives, “Taza Kazakhstan” and “Yashil Makon”,
highlighting the programs' contribution to fostering environmental
responsibility within the region.
Ambassador Atamkulov further emphasized that the draft New
Constitution of Kazakhstan places significant focus on safeguarding
the environment and its natural resources.
Chairman Abdukhakimov presented Uzbekistan's proposal to
establish a Central Asian "Clean Air" consortium to tackle air
pollution, especially in major urban areas and agglomerations,
which remains a critical challenge.
Another pivotal subject was water resource management. Atamkulov
outlined Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an International
Water Organization under the auspices of the United Nations to
improve transboundary water governance. Both parties affirmed the
importance of this initiative for not only Central Asia but also
the broader international community.
The Kazakh Ambassador also visited the Situation Center for
Environmental Monitoring in Uzbekistan, where real-time ecological
data is analyzed to assess air quality, identify pollution sources,
and support evidence-based environmental policy-making.
In a significant development, Uzbekistan finalized its internal
procedures to ratify the 2025 agreement with Kazakhstan on the
joint management and rational use of transboundary water resources.
Signed on November 15, 2025, this agreement aims to reinforce
bilateral cooperation, enhance inter-agency coordination, and
optimize water use for sustainable socio-economic growth.
The ratification was formalized by a presidential decree on
March 6, 2026. Effective management of transboundary water requires
ongoing interaction, mutual understanding, and shared
responsibility, making the Kazakh-Uzbek partnership a model of
constructive regional cooperation.
