The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has taken a major step in strengthening its presence in Central Asia, made possible through the strong support of and cooperation with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change. On December 2, the two parties signed a Host Country Agreement, formalizing the establishment of an IUCN office in Tashkent.
“We are excited to mark this milestone, which strengthens our partnership with Uzbekistan and lays the foundation for collaborative initiatives in the country and across Central Asia,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General. “We look forward to working closely with the Ministry and other partners in Uzbekistan and the region to respond to their needs and priorities in nature conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. IUCN is very grateful to Uzbekistan for giving us this opportunity to be more present in the region and make stronger contributions to the region’s efforts in safeguarding its unique biodiversity and precious natural resources.”
The Host Country Agreement provides a legal framework for IUCN’s operations in Uzbekistan, marking a milestone in the long-standing partnership with the country, a State Member of the Union since 2021.
“We are thrilled that our cooperation with IUCN continues to grow through joint projects and activities, and I am confident that the establishment of the Tashkent office will unlock exciting new opportunities for collaboration,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan. “In Uzbekistan, we understand that environmental challenges transcend political borders, making united efforts and transboundary cooperation essential. We are pleased that the IUCN Tashkent office will serve not only Uzbekistan but the entire Central Asian region, fostering regional collaboration for nature conservation and sustainable development.”
The partnership between IUCN and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan is paving the way for impactful collaborative efforts. Joint initiatives already underway include the IKI-funded regional initiative on One Health in Nature Conservation, led by IUCN, and the GEF project with FAO and IUCN focused on landscape and land restoration. Looking ahead, this cooperation will expand further with the upcoming GEF8 project with UNDP on Integrated Conservation Management and Restoration of High-Value Landscapes in Uzbekistan. These projects address pressing environmental challenges and embody the potential for innovative, scalable solutions to benefit people and nature.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest nature conservation organisation, uniquely bringing together government and civil society organisations. With observer status at the United Nations General Assembly, IUCN leverages the expertise, resources, and reach of over 1,400 member organisations and more than 17,000 experts worldwide.
