Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking at the summit of heads of state and government held as part of COP31 in Antalya, proposed developing a regional model for climate integration among Central Asian countries. He said it should help address shared challenges, including melting glaciers, water shortages and extreme droughts.
As Mirziyoyev explained, the model is based on three areas: information exchange, technology and financing. Uzbekistan plans to turn the annual Central Asia Eco Expo into a permanent investment and technology platform. It also proposes creating sustainable climate-financing mechanisms with development banks, including concessional grants. “Central Asia needs reliable and sustainable sources of financing,” he stressed.
Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan had reduced greenhouse-gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35% ahead of schedule, while its new target is a 50% reduction by 2035.
Decade of climate resilience
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslakhaty, proposed declaring 2028–2037 the Decade of Climate Resilience and Adaptation. He also put forward initiatives for a global partnership and an international climate platform, which he said are intended to mobilize resources and expand developing countries’ access to clean technologies.
Earlier at the summit, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov proposed establishing an international water organization under the auspices of the United Nations. The COP31 leaders’ summit continued for a second day on Thursday under the theme “Sustainable cities and the built environment.”
COP31 through a Turkish cat’s eyes
One of the most unusual views of the summit came from a cat: a camera attached to it filmed delegates at the COP31 venue in Antalya from floor level. Türkiye is known around the world for its street cats, which city residents care for.
Footage from the camera attached to a cat at the COP31 venue (video: Daily Turkic).
Highlights from the summit’s first day
The official COP31 account also published a video review of the first day of the Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, which was attended by leaders from 102 countries.
A video review by the official COP31 account of the conference’s third day and the first day of the Leaders’ Summit.
Mehter welcomes guests
COP31 participants are welcomed by mehter, the traditional Ottoman military band. Its performances have attracted keen interest from foreign delegations and conference guests.
Anadolu footage: foreign guests watch the mehter performance at the COP31 venue.
Photo: Anadolu. Video: COP31 Türkiye, Daily Turkic
