26 February, TASHKENT - The Center of Hydrometeorological Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzhydromet) has hosted an introductory training seminar on climate diplomacy, for representatives of key ministries, departments and public organizations. This training was held within the framework of the regional project ‘Policy Action for Climate Security in Central Asia’, as implemented jointly by UNDP and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom.

International negotiations on climate change take place annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Uzbekistan has been a party to the UNFCCC since 1993 and ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2018. As a rule, international negotiations are one of the flexible and effective tools used for the peaceful settlement of disputes between states, and for developing new international instruments within the field of climate change mitigation, in order to achieve goals set in accordance with international law.

During the seminar, the participants were introduced to main climate change policy frameworks including UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. They were also trained in effective negotiation rules, and in decision-making processes regarding climate agreements.

The training participants recognized how better negotiation skills can improve agreements between Central Asian countries in developing joint action for adapting to climate change and mitigating its consequences. . They also recognized the importance of successful negotiations and collaboration in enhancing regional resilience to climate risks.

A series of trainings in climate diplomacy for specialists of relevant ministries and departments, is to be conducted within the project’s framework. The intended outcome of these trainings is to prepare national delegates for complex international negotiations which are set to take place during the Conference of the Parties (COP) on 26 November 2021 in Glasgow, in the United Kingdom. This conference will serve as a platform for annual global climate negotiations.

The ‘Policy Action for Climate Security in Central Asia’ regional project is being implemented by UNDP with financial support from the UK Government, seeking to raise preparedness of the countries in the region for more ambitious climate actions and strengthened climate resilience at the national and regional level, which are to be declared during COP 26.