Press Release
March 26, 2026
- Global Environment
Results of the Japan-Uzbekistan Environmental Policy Dialogue and Environmental Business Forum
1. On March 11, 2026, the 1st Japan-Uzbekistan Environmental Policy Dialogue was held between the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, the Republic of Uzbekistan. Mr. DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment of Japan and Mr. Aziz ABDUKHAKIMOV, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, attended the Dialogue.
2. During the Dialogue, both countries exchanged views on policies and current state of initiatives regarding climate change, air pollution, and waste management, as well as future cooperation. Moreover, the Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan and Uzbekistan in Environmental Protection was renewed.
3. At the Uzbekistan-Japan Environmental Business Forum, with the participation of numerous private companies, government officials shared the current state of environmental policies and initiatives, as well as future challenges of both countries. Furthermore, to create business opportunities, the Forum provided presentations by companies and networking sessions between participating companies and attendees.
2. During the Dialogue, both countries exchanged views on policies and current state of initiatives regarding climate change, air pollution, and waste management, as well as future cooperation. Moreover, the Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan and Uzbekistan in Environmental Protection was renewed.
3. At the Uzbekistan-Japan Environmental Business Forum, with the participation of numerous private companies, government officials shared the current state of environmental policies and initiatives, as well as future challenges of both countries. Furthermore, to create business opportunities, the Forum provided presentations by companies and networking sessions between participating companies and attendees.
■ Details
On December 20, the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue (CA+JAD) Summit and bilateral summit meetings were held in Tokyo, for the first time at the leader’s level. To advance “Green and Resilience” – one of priority cooperation area in the Joint Declaration at the working level, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan held the 1st Japan-Uzbekistan Environmental Policy Dialogue with the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and renewed the Memorandum of Cooperation in Environmental Protection.
Moreover, the Environmental Business Forum was held with the aim of promoting business cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of environmental technologies and services.
Moreover, the Environmental Business Forum was held with the aim of promoting business cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of environmental technologies and services.
■ Overview
1. Environmental Policy Dialogue and Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Cooperation in Environmental Protection
(1) Date and time
March 11, 2026 13:30-16:00 (JST)
(2) Venue
National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (in Tashkent)
(3) Primary attendees
(Japan)
Ministry of the Environment of Japan
DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs and other officials
(Uzbekistan)
National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Mr. Aziz ABDUKHAKIMOV, Advisor to the President and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change
and other officials
(4) Main discussions
- Climate Change and Mitigation
Regarding the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), steady progress has been made, including the holding of the “1st JCM Joint Committee Meeting” and the “Uzbekistan JCM Seminar” in Tashkent in February 2025. Both sides confirmed to promote the development of concrete projects. Moreover, they also exchanged views on measures to improve observation accuracy and standardize country-specific emission estimation methods using the GOSAT series of Greenhouse gas (GHG) Observation SATellites, as well as on support measures to enhance capacity for the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of GHG emissions.
- Air Pollution
Uzbekistan shared the current state of the serious air pollution issues caused by urbanization and transboundary pollution, while Japan reported on the progress of capacity-building initiatives, through invitations to seminars on air pollution countermeasures. Both sides confirmed the enhancement of appropriate communications between the relevant departments in both countries, and work to develop concrete projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing air pollution.
- Waste Management
Uzbekistan shared its waste management initiatives, including plans to construct waste-to-energy facilities. The two countries agreed to continue exchanging views, including cooperation with businesses and other entities.
(5) Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in Environmental Protection
Signed by:
ISHIHARA Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment of Japan
Mr. Aziz ABDUKHAKIMOV, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change
Areas of Cooperation:
a. Climate change
b. Aira pollution
c. Water pollution
d. Waste management
e. Other areas decided by both parties
March 11, 2026 13:30-16:00 (JST)
(2) Venue
National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (in Tashkent)
(3) Primary attendees
(Japan)
Ministry of the Environment of Japan
DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs and other officials
(Uzbekistan)
National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Mr. Aziz ABDUKHAKIMOV, Advisor to the President and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change
and other officials
(4) Main discussions
- Climate Change and Mitigation
Regarding the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), steady progress has been made, including the holding of the “1st JCM Joint Committee Meeting” and the “Uzbekistan JCM Seminar” in Tashkent in February 2025. Both sides confirmed to promote the development of concrete projects. Moreover, they also exchanged views on measures to improve observation accuracy and standardize country-specific emission estimation methods using the GOSAT series of Greenhouse gas (GHG) Observation SATellites, as well as on support measures to enhance capacity for the measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of GHG emissions.
- Air Pollution
Uzbekistan shared the current state of the serious air pollution issues caused by urbanization and transboundary pollution, while Japan reported on the progress of capacity-building initiatives, through invitations to seminars on air pollution countermeasures. Both sides confirmed the enhancement of appropriate communications between the relevant departments in both countries, and work to develop concrete projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing air pollution.
- Waste Management
Uzbekistan shared its waste management initiatives, including plans to construct waste-to-energy facilities. The two countries agreed to continue exchanging views, including cooperation with businesses and other entities.
(5) Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in Environmental Protection
Signed by:
ISHIHARA Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment of Japan
Mr. Aziz ABDUKHAKIMOV, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change
Areas of Cooperation:
a. Climate change
b. Aira pollution
c. Water pollution
d. Waste management
e. Other areas decided by both parties
2. Japan-Uzbekistan Environmental Business Forum
(1) Overview
On March 11, 2026, with the aim of efficiently and effectively creating cooperation and business opportunities in the field of environment between relevant parties of Japan and Uzbekistan, the “Japan-Uzbekistan Environmental Business Forum” was held in Tashkent, with approximately 110 participants attending in person and about 20 participating online.
(2) Contents of each session
Following the opening remarks by Mr. Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment of Japan, officials from both countries shared their respective policies and initiatives in the field of environment. These presentations fostered a better understanding of the current state in the field of environment in both countries and raised expectations for mutual development through business.
During the thematic corporate presentations, 10 companies from both countries gave presentations on water and air quality management, waste management, and climate change, explaining their technologies and initiatives with the aim of creating business opportunities in the field of environment.
In addition, business matching booths were set up in the venue, where participating companies engaged in networking with attendees.
On March 11, 2026, with the aim of efficiently and effectively creating cooperation and business opportunities in the field of environment between relevant parties of Japan and Uzbekistan, the “Japan-Uzbekistan Environmental Business Forum” was held in Tashkent, with approximately 110 participants attending in person and about 20 participating online.
(2) Contents of each session
Following the opening remarks by Mr. Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and DOI Kentaro, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment of Japan, officials from both countries shared their respective policies and initiatives in the field of environment. These presentations fostered a better understanding of the current state in the field of environment in both countries and raised expectations for mutual development through business.
During the thematic corporate presentations, 10 companies from both countries gave presentations on water and air quality management, waste management, and climate change, explaining their technologies and initiatives with the aim of creating business opportunities in the field of environment.
In addition, business matching booths were set up in the venue, where participating companies engaged in networking with attendees.
