After spending several inspiring days in Samarkand, where the Global Environmental Forum and Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 took place from 31 May to 5 June 2026, I arrived in Tashkent with one thought firmly in mind: Uzbekistan is rapidly becoming one of the countries where the global green agenda is no longer simply discussed; it is being implemented at an impressive pace. The forum brought together governments, international organisations, scientists, businesses and environmental leaders from around the world to discuss practical solutions for climate change, biodiversity protection and sustainable development.
It therefore felt particularly fitting that, on 10 June, one of my most inspiring meetings in Tashkent was with Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov, Rector of Green University – the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies. After several days immersed in discussions about climate policy and environmental innovation in Samarkand, it was encouraging to see that the same momentum continues in Uzbekistan’s academic community, where the next generation of environmental leaders is already being prepared.
Our conversation was about much more than higher education. We spoke about the role of international cooperation, strategic communications, research, innovation and global partnerships in addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Central Asia and the world.
For me, environmental issues have never been a passing interest. They have been an important part of my professional journey for many years. In 2021, I had the privilege not only of moderating but also of designing and preparing the international Green Bridge Conference, held during COP26 in Glasgow. Bringing together governments, international organisations, businesses and experts, the conference demonstrated that climate challenges can only be solved through cross-border, cross-sector collaboration. Since then, I have continued to follow sustainability initiatives around the world, and it was genuinely inspiring to witness how confidently Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a regional leader in the green transition.
Green University itself is a fascinating institution. Established by Presidential Decree in 2023, it is the first university in Central Asia dedicated entirely to environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development and green technologies. English serves as the language of instruction, reflecting its international outlook and ambition to become a regional centre for education, applied research and policy development.
What impressed me even more was the scale of its international engagement. The university is already working with organisations including UNDP, UNEP, FAO, The World Bank, WWF, IUCN, IWMI, ICBA, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Erasmus+ programme and numerous leading universities across Europe and Asia. This creates exactly the kind of ecosystem where ideas can move quickly from research into real-world implementation.
During our meeting, Professor Pulatov and I discussed several exciting opportunities for future cooperation. I believe Green University has every opportunity to become much more than an academic institution. It can become an international laboratory where governments, universities, technology companies, investors and development organisations jointly develop, test and demonstrate new environmental technologies before scaling them across Central Asia and beyond.
Few places offer such a compelling opportunity today. Central Asia is already experiencing rising temperatures, water scarcity, glacier retreat, desertification and biodiversity loss. These challenges make the region not only vulnerable, but also one of the world’s most valuable testing grounds for innovative solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water management, biodiversity finance, artificial intelligence for environmental monitoring and climate adaptation.
Uzbekistan has clearly recognised this opportunity. Through ambitious national reforms, international partnerships and substantial investment in education and environmental policy, the country is building the foundations of a green economy. In my view, Green University can become one of the flagship institutions driving this transformation—not only for Uzbekistan but for the wider Central Asian region. The technologies, research and partnerships developed here could ultimately benefit many other countries facing similar environmental challenges.
As someone who has spent much of his career building bridges between governments, international organisations and global media, I found this meeting particularly inspiring. Communicating these success stories internationally and connecting the right partners is just as important as developing the technologies themselves.
My sincere thanks to Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov for the warm welcome, the stimulating discussion and his openness to future collaboration. I very much hope that our meeting on 10 June 2026 will mark the beginning of a long-term partnership and a series of international initiatives that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
If you are interested in exploring partnership opportunities with Green University in Uzbekistan, I warmly invite you to complete the form. I would be delighted to provide additional information about the university, its international programmes and research initiatives, and the opportunities for collaboration it offers. I would also be pleased to introduce you to the relevant departments at Green University, as well as to the appropriate government institutions and partner organisations in Uzbekistan, to help take the discussion forward.
Sergey Stanovkin 