Green Discussions with GGGI’s President Ban Ki-moon in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 28, 2025 – H.E. Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council (P&C) of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), concluded a visit to Uzbekistan, reinforcing the nation's commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation.  

During his visit, P&C Ban met with H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change. They discussed ongoing and future green projects, including the KOICA-funded 'Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for the Republic of Karakalpakstan to Address the Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis' (Aral Sea GRIP) and the AFD-funded Support for the Realization of a Pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (Pilot SEA project). Minister Abdukhakimov expressed appreciation, stating,  

“Since the beginning of my tenure as the Minister of Ecology, GGGI was the first foreign partner to welcome me in my new role and shared many valuable insights, including GGGI’s vision and strategy, which inspired ideas for what we could achieve together.”

He further emphasized Uzbekistan's dedication to environmental initiatives, highlighting programs like Yashil Makon (Green Nation) and the establishment of the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea Basin (IICAS). In recognition of P&C Ban's contributions to global environmental protection, Minister Abdukhakimov awarded him the honorary badge of 'Defender of Nature'.

P&C Ban also held discussions with H.E. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis. P&C Ban acknowledged Uzbekistan's leadership:

“This commitment is evident not only in the inclusion of environmental priorities in the national ‘Uzbekistan – 2030 Strategy,’ but also in President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy’—a truly commendable step.”  

Chairperson Narbaeva highlighted the importance of public engagement in environmental issues:

“Public engagement is also essential. To ensure people understand their role in protecting the world around us, raising ecological awareness is critical. That is why our President approved a national concept for enhancing environmental consciousness through 2030.”

She then expressed gratitude for GGGI's support in developing the new law on Strategic Environmental Assessment and assistance to communities in the Aral Sea region.

Later that day, at Green University, P&C Ban delivered an inspiring guest lecture to students and partners, sharing his journey in sustainable development. Reflecting on his experiences, he remarked,

“I was raised during the Korean War in the 1950s and watched my country grow and mature, from terrible poverty, to dictatorship, to a standing and prosperous nation. This is what I can remember. I was a child of war. But I was also inspired to help my country and those in need.” He continued, “These experiences grounded me in the importance of peace and security, opportunity and collective responsibility, the means that shaped my life and my career.”

He emphasized the importance of education in addressing climate challenges and expressed hope for the Green University's role in preparing experts to tackle environmental crises.

P&C Ban then attended the official project closing ceremony of the Aral Sea GRIP, funded by KOICA and supported by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change. The event celebrated the key achievements of Aral Sea GRIP, including mobilizing 1 billion USD in green and sustainable bonds with Agrobank and SQB, enhancing the climate resilience of over 17,000 people, developing videos on climate adaptation methods, designing 6 climate-smart agriculture models featuring windbreaks and water-saving technologies, and implementing them across 819 hectares.

At the event, GGGI also introduced its new regional project: ‘Strengthening Climate Resilience through Introduction of Innovative Smart Techniques in Flood and Drought Management in Central Asia’ (2024–2027), funded by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea. Implemented in Uzbekistan (Ferghana) and Kyrgyzstan (Talas-Alatau), the project will deploy smart technologies for water resource management, enhance disaster resilience, and promote green economic opportunities in climate-vulnerable areas.

P&C Ban’s visit to Uzbekistan concluded with the meeting with the Ecological Party of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He had a formal discussion with the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Central Council, Mr. Аbdushukur Hamzayev, and commended the practical measures undertaken by the Government of Uzbekistan in recent years to enhance environmental sustainability and accelerate the transition to green energy.  

President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of GGGI, H. E. Ban Ki-moon's visit to the country underscored the strong partnership between GGGI and Uzbekistan, highlighting shared goals in promoting sustainable development and environmental resilience.