The session featured the participation of the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov, who presented Uzbekistan’s national efforts to address climate change and advance sustainable development.

The session brought together Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Michael Bizwick Usi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Kingdom of Bhutan D.N. Dhungyel, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Tangriguli Atahalliyev, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Moldova Sergiu Lazarencu, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany Johann Saathoff, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe Dmitry Mariyasin, Chief of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Natalia Alonso Cano, IPCC Lead Author and Associate Professor at the University of Botswana Opha Pauline Dube, as well as representatives of other countries and international organizations.

In his remarks, A. Abdukhakimov noted that over the past 50 years, the average annual temperature in Uzbekistan has increased by 1.2°C, while the number of arid days has risen by 20%. In 2023, nearly 40% of the country’s territory experienced severe drought, significantly impacting the agricultural sector, which accounts for 17% of the country’s GDP. The minister emphasized that the shrinking of the Aral Sea remains one of the most visible environmental crises, posing a threat to the health and livelihoods of nearly one million people in the region.

At the same time, he stressed that Uzbekistan is taking effective measures to adapt to climate change, enhance early disaster detection, and restore ecosystems in line with the "Uzbekistan–2030" strategy. Adaptation plans have been developed for key economic sectors, a law limiting greenhouse gas emissions has been adopted, carbon regulation mechanisms are being introduced, and a National Climate Change Strategy has been approved. The minister’s statement generated considerable interest and support from international partners and contributed significantly to the ongoing global dialogue on resilience in the face of growing climate challenges.