BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. A regional
climate program being developed in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan aims to improve climate resilience for more than 1
million people, promote sustainable management of nearly 939,000
hectares of land and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6.95 million
metric tons of CO₂ equivalent.


This was reflected in the statement by the Uzbekistan’s National
Committee for Ecology and Climate Change.


The Climate-resilient Landscapes in Central Asia (CLiCA) program
is being developed by the German Agency for International
Cooperation (GIZ) in cooperation with national partner
organizations in the three countries to attract financial support
from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).


In Uzbekistan, the program will focus on areas including the
Fergana Valley and Surkhandarya region, with measures targeting
agriculture, forestry and other land-use sectors.


The program will promote the use of climate data in land-use
planning and investment decisions, introduce climate-resilient
agricultural practices, restore pastures and forests, and expand
access to climate finance for small and medium-sized businesses in
rural areas.


“The program will help strengthen climate resilience through
sustainable land management, improved access to climate finance and
stronger cooperation among Central Asian countries,” Uzbekistan’s
National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change said.







The initiative will also support capacity building for
government agencies and land users, while promoting cross-border
cooperation, knowledge sharing and coordination of regional
investments.


GIZ will implement the program together with relevant
organizations from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In
Uzbekistan, the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change
will serve as the national implementing partner.


Funding is expected to come from the Green Climate Fund,
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ), and contributions from the participating countries.


As part of preparations for the program, the partners have
developed an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and
an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The documents
identify potential environmental and social impacts and risks
associated with the program and outline measures to manage
them.


The documents have been made publicly available to provide
stakeholders and the wider public with information on the program’s
potential environmental and social impacts.