The event brought together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, and the expert community from across Central Asia.
Participants discussed the impact of climate change on mountain regions, public health, water resources, and the region’s socioeconomic development, as well as measures to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable communities.
Abdurashid Bozorov, Head of Sector at CERR, took part in the roundtable “Regional Priorities for Climate Resilience and Human Well-Being.”
The discussion focused on opportunities to expand regional cooperation in climate change adaptation, sustainable natural resource management, and the protection of populations from climate-related risks.
Particular attention was given to the need to align national strategies, exchange analytical data, and advance joint initiatives among the countries of Central Asia.
Alisher Khalmurzaev, Head of Sector at CERR, also spoke at the session “Building Resilience in Climate-Exposed Mountain Communities,” where he presented an analysis of the main directions for the deep decarbonization of Uzbekistan’s economy.
In his remarks, he emphasized that the deep decarbonization of Uzbekistan’s economy requires three large-scale transformations.
First, the environmental performance of the power sector must be significantly improved through a gradual transition from a system that is highly dependent on natural gas to one with a much larger share of renewable energy sources. This will require substantial investment in modernizing electricity grids, developing energy storage systems, and improving the flexibility of the power system.
Second, the electrification of end-use sectors must be expanded, including buildings, transportation, and selected industries. This involves the wider use of heat pumps, electric vehicles, and electrically powered industrial equipment. At the same time, it was noted that electrification contributes to emissions reductions only if the electricity itself also becomes cleaner.
Third, sectors in which emissions are particularly difficult to reduce require specialized technological solutions. Cement, chemicals, fertilizers, and steel cannot be fully decarbonized through electrification alone. These industries will require the introduction of carbon capture technologies, green hydrogen, new production methods, and alternative materials.
It was also noted that Uzbekistan’s average temperature has increased by approximately 1.5°C over the past 20 years. At the same time, pressure on water resources is intensifying: the flow of the Amu Darya has declined by around 30% over the past two decades, while the flow of the Syr Darya has decreased by approximately 10% over the past 10 years. These changes create risks for agriculture, food security, employment, and public well-being.
The expert outlined the measures being implemented in Uzbekistan to reduce the carbon intensity of the economy, expand the use of renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the greenhouse gas emissions monitoring system.
In particular, it was noted that the energy intensity of Uzbekistan’s economy remains approximately four times higher than the European Union average and twice the global average. Against this background, the modernization of energy infrastructure, reduction of network losses, introduction of energy-efficient technologies, and gradual transition to cleaner energy sources are regarded as key areas of reform.
Long-term priorities include expanding solar and wind power, improving the efficiency of thermal power plants, modernizing buildings, developing public and electric transportation, and introducing low-carbon technologies in industry.
Conference participants noted that climate challenges in Central Asia are transboundary in nature and require coordinated action by the countries of the region. Strengthening climate resilience requires an integrated approach combining measures in energy, water management, healthcare, social protection, and the development of mountain regions.
The conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of continuing regional expert dialogue, expanding the exchange of data and experience, and developing joint solutions aimed at strengthening the resilience of the populations and economies of Central Asian countries to climate change.
CERR Public Relations Sector
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