IUCN opens Central Asia Office in Tashkent to strengthen regional cooperation for conservation

The high-level event brought together representatives from Central Asian governments, development partners, civil society and IUCN leadership. The new office will serve all five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – supporting their conservation and climate resilience priorities.

“We are thankful and excited to be able to celebrate the official opening of the IUCN Office in Tashkent, a powerful symbol of our deepening partnership with Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region. Our deepest gratitude to the government of Uzbekistan,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General. “This office marks more than just a physical presence; it reflects our commitment to work side by side to conserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and strengthen climate resilience. From supporting protected area management and advancing regional dialogue to aligning policy frameworks and delivering on-the-ground conservation programmes, we are here to work hand-in-hand with the governments and people of Central Asia to achieve lasting impact for humanity and nature.” 

Hosted at the Central Asian Green University, the office will also deepen engagement with IUCN Members, creating new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Its opening coincides with Uzbekistan’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy, reflecting the country’s strong focus on sustainability and resilience. 

"The establishment of the IUCN Central Asia Office in Uzbekistan is a clear reflection of our deep commitment to regional environmental cooperation. Hosted at Central Asia’s first environmental university, it will serve as a hub for joint action, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building across all five Central Asian countries. We welcome this partnership and are ready to provide full support to ensure its success for the benefit of present and future generations,” said H.E. Mr Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan. 

In Central Asia, IUCN drives initiatives ranging from environmental governance and protected and conserved area support to Nature-based Solutions and integrated approaches to biodiversity and climate challenges. The current portfolio includes the One Health in Nature Conservation initiative, which integrates ecosystem and human health into landscape planning and management. Blue Peace Central Asia 2.0 advances transboundary water cooperation and hydro-diplomacy across the five republics. In Uzbekistan, the FOLUR project supports the restoration of high nature value habitats and promotes sustainable land use. In Kazakhstan, the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP) enhances pasture management and drives ecosystem restoration.

These projects reflect IUCN’s integrated, cross-sectoral approach to conservation, grounded in science, policy and partnerships. Led by Dmitry Gorshkov, newly appointed Regional Programme Coordinator, the Central Asia team will guide the implementation of IUCN’s priorities and serve as a regional coordination and knowledge hub. The office will link national and regional stakeholders with global tools and standards, including the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, and the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™.

With the launch of the Central Asia Office, IUCN reinforces its role as a long-term partner for conservation and sustainable development, supporting countries in achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

Learn more about the IUCN programme in Central Asia: www.iucn.org/centralasia  

Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan

Dr Aguilar, IUCN Director General and HE Minister Abdukhakimov, Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan at the official opening of the IUCN Central Asia Office

For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:

• Aleksandra Nikodinovic, Regional Communications Officer, IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), phone: +381 63 357 407, email: [email protected]   
• Lola Rakhmanbaeva, Press secretary of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, phone: +998 93 395 36 40, email: [email protected]