Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The UN General Assembly approved the resolution proposed by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev “Central Asia in the face of environmental problems: strengthening regional solidarity for the sake of sustainable development and prosperity.”

The document highlights the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to solve environmental problems in Central Asia and promote socio-economic development and adaptation measures to climate change.

The important role of new and innovative technologies and best practices in combating desertification, drought and sand and dust storms is also highlighted. There is also a call to intensify efforts to protect mountain ecosystems and preserve glaciers.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in September, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that over the past thirty years, air temperatures in the region have increased by one and a half degrees. “This is twice the global average warming. 

As a result, about a third of the total area of glaciers disappeared. If this trend continues, then in the next twenty years the flow of two large rivers in the region - the Amu Darya and Syr Darya - may decrease by 15%.”

The draft resolution was co-sponsored by 35 UN member states from all regions of the world.