BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Uzbekistan and Japan
highlighted their growing partnership on climate resilience, water
management, environmental innovation and sustainable agriculture
during a series of side events held at the Eco Expo Central Asia
2026 exhibition, Trend reports via the Uzbek National Committee on
Ecology and Climate Change.
The events, hosted at the Silk Road Samarkand complex, brought
together government officials, researchers, academics and
private-sector representatives to discuss scientific solutions to
climate challenges, particularly in the Aral Sea region.
The first session, titled “Japan–Uzbekistan Blue & Green Nexus:
Science, Sustainability, and Community Resilience for Climate
Action,” focused on climate adaptation, sustainable resource
management, renewable energy and environmental innovation.
Participants presented joint initiatives being implemented under
the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable
Development (SATREPS) program with support from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and
Technology Agency (JST) in cooperation with Uzbek scientific
institutions.
Professor Kenji Tanaka of Kyoto University outlined a project
aimed at developing climate-resilient technologies to improve water
monitoring and water-use efficiency in the Aral Sea basin. Yuki
Yanagida Ab Farah, an expert involved in the H2UZ SATREPS project,
discussed efforts to develop green and blue hydrogen technologies
as part of broader carbon-neutrality goals.
Bakhtiyor Pulatov, rector of the Central Asian University of
Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University),
presented the university’s initiatives to train specialists in
environmental protection, climate adaptation and sustainable
development while expanding international scientific cooperation
across Central Asia.
The event also featured presentations on sustainable cotton
production and environmentally responsible farming practices.
Chinori Tokita, head of the Tashkent office of Japan’s MASUI Corp.
Ltd., discussed sustainable cotton business models, while Dr.
Satoshi Togashi, chief project coordinator for OISCA, highlighted
the organization’s activities in Uzbekistan.
The environmental agenda continued with a second side event
organized by the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea
Region (IICAS) under the BLUE SATREPS project in partnership with
Japanese institutions.
Discussions centered on land degradation, soil salinization,
water scarcity and science-based approaches to sustainable
agriculture and climate adaptation in one of the world’s most
environmentally vulnerable regions.
Professor Tanaka presented research on future climate and
water-resource scenarios for the Aral Sea basin. Professors
Bakhriddin Nishonov and Bakhtiyor Kholmatjanov showcased modern
monitoring systems, including the expansion of meteorological
networks and Earth remote-sensing platforms.
Meanwhile, Professor Kristina Toderich of Tottori University
introduced approaches to “circular mixed agriculture based on
halophytes,” using salt-tolerant plants to improve agricultural
productivity in saline environments.
Participants concluded that expanding scientific cooperation,
accelerating the deployment of climate-resilient technologies and
strengthening joint environmental initiatives will be critical to
addressing the region’s long-term challenges.
The side events underscored the depth of Uzbekistan-Japan
cooperation in environmental research and sustainable development,
particularly in efforts to restore ecosystems and build climate
resilience in the Aral Sea region.
