On 19 January 2023, Dr. Aaron Russell, Country Representative of GGGI Uzbekistan, met H.E. Mr. Aziz A. Abdukhakimov, Minister for Natural Resources in Uzbekistan.
In the meeting, the GGGI team briefed H.E. Mr. Abdukhakimov on the organisation’s support of Uzbekistan’s green growth as well as its comparative advantage, providing embedded technical and advisory services to the government. The Minister was informed of the progress of the Aral Sea GRIP funded by KOICA and implemented in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The key achievements include high-quality knowledge products for policy development, capacity building activities, green value chain development, and a Business Development Platform. Building on these results, the project plans to provide support for the Aral Sea Development Strategy Coordination, the development of Green Bond, and GCF project development. In addition, the project will pilot Climate Smart Agriculture technologies for green investment mobilization and implement capacity building and awareness raising activities for local agriculture stakeholders in 2023.
The achievements of the Aral Sea GRIP were acknowledged. The Minister conveyed his appreciation to GGGI and expressed interest in using GGGI’s key knowledge products for evidence-based policymaking and new strategy development. Also, the Ministry will provide the necessary support for effective project implementation as well as for new project development.
Both the Ministry and GGGI agreed to make joint efforts in further strengthening the integrated approach to support the Aral Sea region, with a special focus on effective coordination with the integrated roadmap as well as the UN Multi Partner Human Security Trust Fund. Dr. Russell reaffirmed GGGI’s continued commitment to providing technical assistance to mobilize green investment and climate financing.
Dr. Russell informed the Minister of the upcoming GGGI’s Director General’s Visit to Uzbekistan planned for mid-Feb. A series of activities have been planned in line with this visit, including GGGI Uzbekistan’s 1 Year Anniversary, the 5-year Country Program Framework Consultation, a field visit to Nukus including a Business Development Platform event, and GGGI’s recent project-related partnership development as well as bilateral meetings with key government and development partners.