CAREC Delegation Participates in the 8th GEF Assembly and Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 in Samarkand

Publication date: 03 June 2026

Samarkand has become the venue for two of the most significant environmental events of the year—the 8th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the international exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia 2026. The events have brought together representatives of governments, international organizations, financial institutions, academia, and civil society to discuss pressing environmental challenges, climate change, and sustainable development.

A delegation of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), led by Executive Director Batyr Mamedov, is actively participating in the Assembly and the exhibition, showcasing regional initiatives and practical solutions aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability across Central Asia.

As part of the GEF Assembly, CAREC’s Executive Director took part in the Central Asia Water-Land Nexus (CAWLN) Inception Workshop, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The workshop is being held alongside the GEF Assembly—the Facility’s flagship global event, convened every four years. This year marks the first time the Assembly is taking place in Central Asia, highlighting the region’s growing importance in addressing global environmental and food system challenges.

The CAWLN workshop brought together regional and national partners to launch a new programme focused on ecosystem restoration, improved land and water resources management, and enhanced resilience across Central Asia.

CAREC’s participation reflects its long-standing partnership with FAO in Uzbekistan and throughout Central Asia, aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and integrated natural resource management. This cooperation plays an important role in delivering comprehensive, science-based solutions to regional environmental challenges.

Alongside the GEF Assembly, the international environmental exhibition Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 is taking place in Samarkand. The exhibition features high-level plenary sessions, thematic side events, and exhibitions dedicated to climate action, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and the green economy.

Within the framework of the exhibition, CAREC and Caritas Switzerland jointly organized a thematic pavilion showcasing the achievements of the project “Climate-Resilient Integrated Water Resources Management in the Zarafshan River Basin” (ZRB), implemented with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The pavilion highlights key project achievements, including the promotion of transboundary cooperation among Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan; support for River Basin Councils; advancement of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles; strengthening the participation of local communities and women in decision-making processes; and the introduction of climate-resilient approaches to water management in the Zarafshan River Basin.

The pavilion has attracted significant interest from exhibition participants. Representatives of government agencies, international organizations, academic institutions, and the wider public have actively visited the stand to learn about the project’s results and discuss opportunities for further regional cooperation on water resources management and climate change adaptation.

CAREC’s participation in the 8th GEF Assembly and Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 reaffirms the organization’s commitment to strengthening regional dialogue, promoting sustainable environmental solutions, and fostering partnerships that contribute to environmental security and sustainable development across Central Asia.