Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for Central Asian governments to coordinate climate finance, technology and risk information at COP31, arguing that shared threats make regional cooperation necessary.
In an address delivered Wednesday in Antalya, Mirziyoyev cited melting glaciers, water shortages and extreme drought as pressures threatening the region. He said those risks called for Central Asian countries to work together. The proposed framework covers climate information, environmental technology and financing.
Uzbekistan proposed developing infrastructure to exchange climate-risk information with support from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The shared information system is one part of the regional approach Mirziyoyev outlined for addressing climate pressures.
The technology proposals include work to restore degraded soils, capture carbon in arid regions and combat dust and sandstorms. Mirziyoyev also proposed making the annual Central Asia ECO-EXPO a permanent venue for investment in environmental technology suited to regional conditions.
On financing, he urged development banks to help shape new instruments for the region. Options in the address included concessional grants as well as blue and arid finance mechanisms.
Mirziyoyev called on COP31 participants to give the proposals practical form. He also said other regions interested in similar cooperation could adapt the model. The address set out proposals for regional coordination; it did not announce a specific funding amount or implementation date.
