Delegation from Uzbekistan's Syrdarya Region Visits XIEG

On April 6, a nine-member delegation led by Erkinjon Turdimov, Governor of the Syrdarya Region of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Farhod Arziev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to China, visited the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The visit focused on exchanging research outcomes and practical experience in arid-region ecological restoration and the development of agriculture on saline-alkali land. The two sides held in-depth discussions on areas of shared interest, including desertification control and saline-alkali land management. The meeting was chaired by XIEG’s Director ZHANG Yuanming, with XIEG’s Deputy Director DUAN Weili, researchers, and company representatives from Xinjiang in attendance.

Meeting between the two sides.

ZHANG Yuanming opened the meeting with an overview of the XIEG’s profile, strong research capacity, and fruitful international partnerships. He noted that XIEG has maintained close collaboration with Uzbekistan’s national research institutions in recent years, delivering strong results in areas such as ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, water-savingagricultural irrigation, and cultivation of young researchers. He added that the establishment of the CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia headquarters in Tashkent further demonstrates XIEG’s strong commitment to strengthening cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Erkinjon Turdimov outlined the situation in Syrdarya Region and shared his impressions of China. He said Syrdarya Region’s climatic conditions closely resemble those of Xinjiang, with widespread severe drought and extensive saline-alkali soils limiting agricultural development. He expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with China, especially Xinjiang, in fields such as ecological restoration, arid-region agriculture, and urban greening, and welcomed XIEG to establish a field station to support sustainable development through scientific research, technology demonstration, and joint talent training.

Technical exchange session.

During the technical exchange session, Prof. ZHAO Zhenyong shared advances in key technologies for utilizing saline-alkali land in agriculture, while Prof. FAN Jinglong provided a systematic overview of successful practices in desertification and land degradation control in Xinjiang. In addition, representatives from two local companies in Xinjiang shared their experience in and approaches to urban greening and desert-based industries, highlighting strong potential and practical pathways for cooperation with Uzbekistan in these areas.

As a key stop of the delegation’s China visit, the XIEG helped lay a scientific foundation for expanded bilateral cooperation in green technology. In recent years, it has actively promoted scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges with national research institutions across Central Asia through international cooperation platforms, joint research projects, technology demonstration, and talent development. These efforts have delivered tangible results and provided strong scientific support for China–Central Asia cooperation and the development of the Green Silk Road.

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

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

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