DUSHANBE, November 13. /Dunyo IA/.  Viktor Kim, Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, commented to Dunyo IA on the participation of the President of Uzbekistan in the World Leaders Summit of the 31^st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya:

– Main political significance of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Türkiye lies in Uzbekistan's participation in the discussion of global climate issues and the promotion of initiatives that are important not only for the country itself, but also for Central Asia.

The 31^st UN Climate Change Conference is one of the most important international platforms for discussing the future of global environmental policy. For Uzbekistan, participation in this conference is of particular importance. Climate change directly affects the country's socio-economic development, the state of water resources, agriculture, energy security, and the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region. At the same time, many of the existing challenges are of a transboundary nature and require coordinated action by the states of Central Asia.

In this context, several initiatives presented by Uzbekistan at the COP31 platform deserve special attention.

1. Climate migration. On November 10^th, Silk Declaration on Population Mobility in the Context of Climate Change of the States of Central Asia and the South Caucasus was signed at the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan. Representatives of the countries of the two regions participated in the event. Document is designed to serve as a regional basis for strengthening cooperation on climate-induced migration and developing coordinated approaches to protecting vulnerable communities.

2. Climate finance. On November 11^th, Uzbekistan proposed establishing a “5+5” regional dialogue format envisaging interaction between the five states of Central Asia and five international climate funds. It is expected that such a platform will allow for aligning investment priorities, coordinating project portfolios, and enhancing the efficiency of access to climate finance. It is proposed to hold the first meeting in Tashkent in 2027. At this stage, the discussion specifically concerns a proposal to establish a regional mechanism of interaction.

3. International climate cooperation. At a meeting with Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund Mafalda Duarte, further expansion of cooperation and the mobilization of climate finance were discussed. The parties noted that the combined portfolio of joint projects has already exceeded $200 million. In particular, discussions focused on the regional program for developing climate-resilient landscapes in Central Asia, as well as prospects for implementing new projects.

At the same time, Uzbekistan does not limit itself to merely raising environmental issues. The initiatives presented reflect a commitment to translating them into the realm of concrete mechanisms of cooperation.

This approach testifies to the practical orientation of Uzbekistan's climate diplomacy.

Significance of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's participation in the 31^st UN Climate Change Conference is defined not only by the opportunities for bilateral diplomatic engagement, but above all by the country's involvement in shaping the global climate agenda and promoting initiatives aimed at addressing the shared challenges of Central Asia.