Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 21 December, an open dialogue between the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov and representatives of active youth took place in the capital’s Palace of Youth Creativity. The event was attended by more than 500 students studying at higher educational institutions of the country, volunteers and other young environmental activists.

During the meeting, the minister spoke about the opportunities provided for youth representatives and the initiatives they are implementing. A. Abdukhakimov emphasized that it is necessary to further increase the activity of young people in the field of ecology and tourism, as this is an effective way to find solutions to current problems. At the same time, every opinion and initiative is important.

“Today, the Government is creating opportunities for young people to show their potential in all areas, and our talented youth are responding with enthusiasm.

Therefore, I would like to emphasize that the contribution of young people to the development of ecology and tourism is invaluable,” the minister noted.

This year, many events were held in the field of ecology and tourism, at which young people showed particular activity and demonstrated their concern for environmental problems. At the end of 2023, 2 million 445 thousand 300 young people took part in events with the participation of young eco-activists of the republic.

During the meeting, A. Abdukhakimov said that current global problems associated with environmental pollution, climate change, and inefficient use of natural resources require sustainable development, training of specialists and experts in a new format in the field of ecology and environmental protection, and the introduction of innovative approaches to problem solving. The minister also noted that this is being done by the Central Asian Green University, created in accordance with the Presidential Decree “On measures to organize the activities of the Central Asian University for the study of environment and climate change.” It is planned that the University will play an important role in solving environmental problems.

“The activities of Green University under the auspices of the Ministry of Ecology are organized according to the “Hub and Spoke” principle. In other words, the “Green University” has created an effective platform that unites international, public and private higher education institutions, as well as research centers of Uzbekistan, the region and the world as a whole. The created University has introduced world-leading educational programs used by leading “green” institutions,” said the minister.

During the meeting, those present recognized that in recent years, in the fields of ecology and tourism, the emphasis on the role of youth has increased and the participation of its representatives in events has actively increased. Students also contacted the minister with questions, suggestions and comments. In particular, important proposals and comments were made on the issues of reducing the use of plastic waste by the younger generation, combating environmental pollution, stopping tree cutting, increasing environmental culture, increasing youth activity, popularizing Uzbek culture and tourism in Uzbekistan.

In response to a question about the importance of Central Asian Green University and its advantage over other universities, Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that the university will train specialists who are planned to play an important role in solving pressing environmental problems not only in Uzbekistan, but also in the Central Asian region.

“Today there can be no progress in any industry without the participation of youth. In the development of ecology and tourism, we rely on the knowledge, enthusiasm and new ideas of young activists. Today, after listening to your suggestions and ideas for solving current problems, I have witnessed the growth of environmental consciousness and responsibility among the future generation. This makes me sincerely happy,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov.

The minister noted that any proposal that promotes the development of the industry will be supported. He also expressed special gratitude to young people for their activity and concern for the environment.

“If you ask what ecology is, I would say that ecology is youth” - Aziz Abdukhakimov.

As a result of the event, a number of young environmental activists and volunteers were awarded, including the founder of the ProRun project Andrey Kulikov, journalist of the Renessans TV channel Sardorbek Isroilov, Mutabar Khushvaktova as the “most active eco-blogger”, head of the Volunteer Association of Uzbekistan Shirin Abidova, Deputy Director of the Movement of Young Environmentalists Ikhtiyor Makhmudov and a number of eco-volunteers and tourism activists from Tashkent, Tashkent, Bukhara, Andijan regions and other regions of the country.