AKIPRESS.COM - Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia Odontuya Saldan participated in the Samarkand Climate Forum, a high-level Ministerial Dialogue "Central Asia Facing the Challenges of a Triple Planetary Crisis," held on April 4–5, Montsame reported.

The Dialogue, held in Samarkand, convened Environment Ministers from Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The officials addressed urgent global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution.

Throughout the discussions, participating countries shared the measures and best practices implemented under their respective national climate and environmental policies. Several Central Asian countries presented successful initiatives such as the development of fruit farming, the cultivation of drought-resistant trees and shrubs in arid zones, the expansion of urban green spaces, and the training of environmental professionals.

Mongolia contributed its experience in involving the private sector in the implementation of the "Billions of Trees" national movement. Additional efforts highlighted by Mongolia included the establishment of the Nature Conservation Trust Fund aimed at ensuring sustainable environmental financing, the construction of ponds, and concrete actions taken to protect endangered wildlife.

The impacts of climate change are increasingly apparent across the Central Asian region. Accelerated melting of snow and glaciers, along with the reduction of water resources, threatens food security, intensifies river shrinkage and land degradation, and contributes to the further decline of ecosystems. The drying of the Aral Sea, now transformed into a desert, serves as a striking example of the environmental crises faced in the region.

In light of these challenges, participating countries exchanged views on strengthening collaboration through regional research, joint projects, and coordinated programs. The officials also exchanged views on cooperating in training specialists through the Green University of Uzbekistan.