XIEG Delegation Visits Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to Strengthen Ties and Cooperation

At the invitation of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, ZHANG Yuanming, Director of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), led a delegation on official visits to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from February to March 2025. This visit marked the official launch of XIEG's scientific and technological cooperation efforts with Central Asian partners for 2025.

During his stay in Uzbekistan, ZHANG Yuanming engaged in consultations with Aziz Abdukhakimov, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change. They discussed crucial issues related to the Tashkent headquarters of the CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (RCEECA), including site selection, research priorities, laboratory construction, and the offices and research environment. The Uzbek government will assume full responsibility for infrastructure development, ensuring adequate office and living conditions. The headquarters, set to be established at the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University), is expected to be completed by June this year. Meanwhile, XIEG will provide laboratory equipment, research teams, and technical expertise. This headquarters aims to become a high-level innovation platform focused on enhancing the regional ecological environment in Central Asia. Additionally, both parties have agreed to collaborate on establishing the China–Uzbekistan Halophyte Friendship Garden which is in line with Uzbekistan's presidential decree. XIEG will contribute seeds and technical guidance for the garden.

Visit the Green University in Uzbekistan

During his visit to the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, ZHANG Yuanming held in-depth discussions with President Khushvakhtzoda Kobiljon Khushvakht. They exchanged ideas on how the Dushanbe branch of RCEECA can better contribute to Tajikistan’s sustainable development. ZHANG presented an implementation plan and work arrangements for the China–Tajikistan Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use. He also outlined preparations for a side event at the upcoming International Conference on Glacier Preservation, which will be co-hosted by both parties. Furthermore, he invited Khushvakhtzoda to attend academic events that will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Almaty and Bishkek branches of RCEECA in July 2025, as well as a high-level conference on a dialogue mechanism amongst heads of national research institutions across Central Asia. Khushvakhtzoda expressed gratitude for XIEG's ongoing contribution to Tajikistan's scientific and technological development, highlighting his commitment to strengthening cooperation and promoting the application of research findings for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Visit the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan

Following these discussions, Zhang Yuanming attended the launch meeting for the project titled "Problems, Challenges, and Adaptive Countermeasures for Tajikistan's Sustainable Development under Climate Change." This project, initiated by the CAS RCEECA, is in response to the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan's request for technical support in water resource management, particularly concerning glaciers. It will be jointly implemented by XIEG, the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources under CAS, the Institute of Water Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, and the Glacier Research Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. Through collaborative research and field studies, participating institutions aim to deliver a report titled Climate Change Adaptation Countermeasures and a Sustainable Development Path for Water, Energy, and Food in Tajikistan. This project aligns with the United Nations' resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers Preservation and is expected to provide valuable scientific and technological support for Tajikistan's sustainable development.

Launch meeting of the joint research project

This visit occurs at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the development of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, signifying its importance for enhancing scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation between XIEG and research institutions across Central Asian countries.

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn