On October 18, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and its plenary session on " Joint construction of the Green Silk Road for the harmonious coexistence of mankind and nature” in Beijing.

The summit, moderated by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, was also attended by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, heads of state and governments, and leaders of financial institutions.

In his speech, the President warmly congratulated all the participants on the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.

It was noted that this ambitious idea aimed at restoring the Great Silk Road has gained many supporters in a historically short period of time and emerged as a new model of international cooperation.

As a comprehensive strategic partner of China, Uzbekistan was among the first to support the Belt and Road Initiative and remains committed to advancing its main goals and objectives.

The President of our country emphasized that the Green Silk Road initiative essentially forms the agenda for a common green future.
Uzbekistan fully supports this initiative, which Chinese President Xi Jinping first put forward in our country in 2016.

Referring to the complex ecological situation in our region, manifested in the form of anomalous weather conditions, frequent droughts and dust storms, rapid land degradation and desertification, loss of biodiversity, the Head of our state noted that Central Asia is one of the regions most affected by the consequences of climate change in the world.

It was noted that Uzbekistan is implementing a large-scale program to create a zone of environmental innovation and technologies in the Aral Sea region within the framework of a special resolution of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this context, the results of the Climate Ambition Summit, held at the initiative of the UN Secretary-General in September this year, were highly assessed.

In order to exchange ideas and unite efforts in achieving the goals of green development in Central Asia, the Leader of Uzbekistan took the initiative to hold the Samarkand International Climate Forum in 2024.

“We hope that this forum will become a practical step in creating the “Samarkand Dialogue for the Future” to find answers to global threats to sustainable development”, the President of our country said.

It was noted that our country is interested in the development of large-scale international cooperation within the framework of the Green Silk Road.

In this regard, the Leader of Uzbekistan shared his vision of further deepening the partnership with China and other participants in the Belt and Road Initiative.

As part of the integration of conceptual initiatives—the Green Agenda of Central Asia and the Green Silk Road—it was proposed to develop a full-scale Green Development Program, including measures and projects for green transformation and digitalization of economic sectors, the creation of sustainable infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors, the launch of green industrial capacity, poverty reduction, and the development of smart agriculture.

Another important task in building the Green Silk Road is the development of green production chains and innovation.

The President expressed a readiness for creating a Special Demonstration Technopark in the Aral Sea region with the involvement of leading Chinese companies and other foreign partners to promote industrial and socially significant programs based on the wide introduction of green technologies.

The Head of our state proposed to establish a Green Finance Fund in Uzbekistan to develop a low-carbon economy and "clean" technologies, as well as to introduce high environmental standards in the countries of the region.

The Uzbek leader also called for lifting restrictions and barriers to mutual trade in green goods, especially agricultural products.

It was also proposed to intensify the dialogue on the transition to green energy and hold regular meetings of ministers of the Belt and Road Initiative countries.
The President of Uzbekistan put forward an initiative to create a scientific and information platform for transferring "green" knowledge and solutions based on the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea basin.

Taking into account the growing shortage of qualified personnel, the Leader of Uzbekistan proposed to develop a joint program in corporation with leading foreign universities and educational centers for training specialists and enhancing academic exchanges in the field of green development and ecology on the basis of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies.

In addition, the President focused on the issue of a careful attitude toward natural resources and the environment.

It was proposed to launch a Global Program for the development of Green Culture within the framework of Belt and Road Initiative, which provides for ethno-ecological festivals, forums, presentations, as well as other events with the participation of well-known public figures, science, business, and culture representatives.

Following his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the fruitful results of the forum will become an essential contribution to the common cause of building a green future for humanity.