Samarkand Hosts One Of The World's Largest Environmental Gatherings

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 1. The 71st Meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council has opened in Samarkand, marking the start of a series of high-level environmental events that will culminate in the Eighth GEF Assembly and the Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 international exhibition, Trend reports via the Uzbek National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

The gathering has brought together representatives from 186 GEF member countries, international organizations, financial institutions, environmental agencies, civil society groups, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss global environmental priorities and climate action.

Over the coming days, GEF governing bodies are expected to consider the allocation of more than $200 million for environmental and climate-related projects and review strategic cooperation priorities for the 2026–2030 period. Discussions at the meetings of the GEF Council, the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund (LDCF/SCCF) Council, and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) Council will focus on accelerating progress toward international environmental goals under the UN 2030 Agenda.

The opening session featured remarks from Aziz Abdukhakimov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, and Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.

Abdukhakimov described the hosting of the Assembly and related meetings as a significant milestone for Uzbekistan.

“For centuries, Samarkand connected people, cultures and ideas across continents. Today, the city once again becomes a meeting point - this time for global cooperation in addressing our shared environmental challenges,” he said.

He noted that the Assembly's theme,“The Last Sprint toward 2030,” reflects the urgency of addressing mounting environmental challenges as countries work to meet international climate and sustainability commitments.

Officials highlighted Uzbekistan's longstanding partnership with the GEF, which has supported projects focused on biodiversity conservation, protection of the snow leopard, restoration of ecosystems in the Aral Sea region, climate resilience, and sustainable land and waste management.

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