ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 23, 2025 (WNP): Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, and Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, on Friday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on climate action, green innovation, and sustainable development—highlighting a shared ambition to lead regional environmental initiatives.

During their meeting in Islamabad, the two sides explored practical frameworks for collaboration, with Ambassador Tukhtaev proposing the establishment of a bilateral working group, joint climate ventures, and enhanced cooperation in research, data exchange, and technological innovation.

Tukhtaev emphasized the strategic partnership between the two nations, describing the green economy as a natural avenue for deeper cooperation. He praised Pakistan’s active engagement in global climate platforms and called for transforming shared environmental threats into opportunities for regional leadership.

Minister Malik welcomed the proposals and reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to regional climate resilience. He spoke of the ancient civilizational ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, rooted in centuries of shared heritage beyond religious and cultural commonalities.

He lauded Uzbekistan’s climate initiatives, particularly its ambitious afforestation campaign aimed at planting one billion trees and efforts to scale up green and blue energy.

Raising regional concerns, Dr. Malik pointed to the environmental degradation of the Aral Sea and the accelerated glacial melt in Pakistan’s northern regions as alarming indicators of climate disruption.

Outlining Pakistan’s future vision, Dr. Malik revealed that the government was prioritizing the establishment of a “Green University”—a center of excellence for climate research, policy, and innovation. He said the university would offer avenues for academic exchange and joint research programs with countries like Uzbekistan.

As a flagship initiative, the minister proposed the development of a “Green Corridor” linking Uzbekistan’s Green Valley with Pakistan’s Indus Valley. This transregional corridor would integrate projects such as the Green Pakistan program and Uzbekistan’s afforestation drive, with long-term plans to expand into a Central and South Asian green network.

He underscored the importance of public engagement, stressing that civil society participation and grassroots awareness campaigns would be crucial for the corridor’s success.

Both sides agreed to transition from conceptual planning to practical implementation. The next round of technical discussions is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of an upcoming multilateral climate summit.