In a significant stride toward enhancing global sustainability, ICLEI East Asia has launched a strategic outreach in Uzbekistan, marking a pivotal expansion of the efforts to foster sustainable urban development of Uzbek cities. From April 15 to April 19, 2024, a delegation led by Shu Zhu, Regional Director of ICLEI East Asia, visited Uzbekistan’s most dynamic cities. The series of engagements began in Tashkent, followed by pivotal stops in Samarkand and Navoi, where the team interacted with key stakeholders from government ministries and local city administrations. These discussions underscored a robust agenda aimed at integrating sustainable practices across these urban landscapes.

A partnership was established with the National Center of Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture (NCKIA) under the Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture. The partnership kicked off with the signing of a milestone Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which emphasizes a shared commitment to bolster sustainable urban food systems through enhanced capacity building and knowledge exchange.

 

Shu Zhu, ICLEI East Asia Regional Director and Shukhrat Otajonov, Director of NCKIA sign a MoU to boost sustainable cooperation

 

Further discussions with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change opened avenues for collaboration on several fronts, including the UNFCCC COP, the Green Cities Initiative launched by the President of Uzbekistan, and the country’s inaugural Climate Forum. These dialogues were pivotal, leveraging international expertise to advance local environmental governance.

 

ICLEI East Asia and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change

 

Another significant meeting involved the Ministry of Transportation. Here, the ICLEI delegation and Deputy Minister Choriyev explored strategies for developing sustainable transportation systems. This meeting emphasized the critical role of green public transport solutions and the adoption of cutting-edge urban mobility tools to reduce the carbon footprint of Uzbek cities significantly.

 

ICLEI delegates strategize on urban transport with the Ministry of Transportation

 

Following these national-level engagements, the ICLEI delegation met extensively with city leaders, tailoring sustainable development projects to the unique needs of each locale. In Tashkent, discussions with Deputy Mayor Sharof Rakhmonov focused on enhancing the city’s role in international cooperative efforts.

The City of Samarkand and Navoi echoed the enthusiasm for sustainable development. During their visit to Samarkand, the ICLEI team had discussions with Umarov Fazliddin, Mayor of the City Government, to explore opportunities for sustainable tourism. Samarkand, with its rich historical background, provides a unique platform for integrating sustainability into cultural preservation and tourism. In Navoi, ICLEI’s meeting with Gaffarov Elbek, Deputy Governor of Navoi Region, Ergashev Dilmurod, Mayor of Navoi City, and Shukhrat Djonuzokov, Deputy Mayor of Navoi City to focus on green industrial practices and green energy. The city officials expressed interest in adopting sustainable technologies and strategies to improve local industries and economic sectors.

 

ICLEI delegates meet with Tashkent’s Deputy Mayor, Sharof Rakhmonov

ICLEI East Asia Regional Director Shu Zhu and Samarkand Mayor Umarov Fazliddin exchange gifts

ICLEI East Asia discuss green industrial solutions with Navoi Region and City leaders

 

During their visit, the ICLEI East Asia delegation also had informal exchanges with other local partners. One such meeting involved Nosirov Jamshid, Deputy Mayor of Kattakurgan City, focusing on specific urban sustainability project opportunities. Separately, the delegation met with Berdiev Sanjar, a Senior Official at the Agency for Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with other colleagues from the agency, to explore avenues for further cooperation.

The meetings and exchanges with ministerial and local leaders were instrumental in two key areas. Firstly, they helped the Uzbek government and city leaders understand the advantages of joining the ICLEI network. Secondly,  they allowed ICLEI representatives to gain a deeper understanding of the country and each city’s specific needs and challenges. These discussions clearly demonstrated the tangible benefits of ICLEI membership, which links international cooperation with localized action to foster sustainable development. Through these visits, ICLEI East Asia can develop more impactful projects, such as the Official Development Assistance (ODA) project in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, to support sustainable urban solutions in Uzbek cities.

The visit received considerable support from the Nordic International University, a vital collaborator and partner of ICLEI East Asia in Uzbekistan. ICLEI East Asia and the Nordic International University are committed to strengthening international cooperation in the Central Asia region on sustainability issues.

As ICLEI East Asia continues to expand its network, this venture into Uzbekistan represents a critical step toward realizing a more sustainable and interconnected world, setting a concrete pathway for future collaborations that will address climate and environmental challenges through innovative, local-driven solutions.

 

Photos by ICLEI East Asia Secretariat