Uzbekistan plans to fulfill its 35% emissions reduction commitments ahead of schedule

Uzbekistan has pledged to make every effort to fulfill ahead of schedule the country's commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% under the Paris Agreement, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the opening of the International Climate Forum, which is being held as part of the EU - Central Asia summit, Report's correspondent from Samarkand informs.

Mirziyoyev reminded that Uzbekistan has begun the transition to a resource-saving and environmentally friendly model of economic development, and one of the key areas here remains green energy. 

"We plan to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the overall energy balance to 54% in the next five years. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 16 million tons. We will make every effort to ensure that Uzbekistan fulfills its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% under the Paris Agreement ahead of schedule," he said. 

The president of Uzbekistan also proposed creating a secretariat for the EU initiative "Water, Energy, Climate Change for Mobilization, Financing, Technology and Competence" in Tashkent. 

"As part of the implementation of common strategic objectives, the concept of green development of the region will be presented at the forum. I am confident that its adoption and subsequent implementation will create a solid foundation for the environmentally oriented development of Central Asia," the politician noted.