During the passage of the Silk Road Caravan through Samarkand, which in summer appears blue due to colorful domes and a sky-blue sky, it became evident that this hue in Central Asia symbolizes water—a critically scarce resource. Over 80 percent of the region is covered by deserts and steppes, and more than 26 million people suffer from drought.
The Caravan entered Central Asia through Samarkand, a historical center of trade routes, where nature and lifestyles change annually due to soil exhaustion, water scarcity, and land degradation. The scale of the problem is illustrated by two facts: at least one-fifth of the region's territory has already degraded, and about four-fifths of all land is used for nomadic livestock farming. Thus, the well-being of the entire region depends on the condition of pastures, which directly affects food security and the ability of communities to withstand climate shocks.
In June, the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility was held in the city. Discussions on financing the fight against drought took place in close proximity to pastures, pistachio orchards, and forest areas. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, welcomed the Caravan, noting that the expedition revives the spirit of friendship and shared responsibility for the land that united peoples along the Silk Road.
Within the discussions organized by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), three topics were focused on: ways to finance drought resilience, the state of pastures, and the livelihoods of herders. For Uzbekistan, the main event was the launch of the three-year project 'Carbon Farming for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Land Management,' funded by the Russian Federation and implemented by the UNCCD Global Mechanism. The project aims to test carbon farming methods to restore soil health and bring the country closer to land degradation neutrality. The work will be carried out over an area of 5,000 hectares involving a thousand small farms.
Furthermore, decisions on direct investments were made: an amount of 5.4 million US dollars was approved for the regional project 'Mountain Ecosystems of Central Asia' in partnership with the World Bank, and the 'Water and Land Resources' program was launched in Central Asia with a budget of 26 million US dollars. Within the GEF-8 cycle, 618 million US dollars were allocated to combat land degradation, which is 30 percent more than in GEF-7.
At the national level, global priorities have been transformed into specific programs. The national initiative 'Yashil Maqon' provides for the annual planting of 200 million trees and shrubs with the aim of increasing the share of green zones in Uzbekistan to 30 percent by 2030 (currently 15 percent). Erkin Mukhitdinov, head of the Agency for Green Zone Expansion and Forest Fund, emphasized the need to involve international organizations to achieve this goal.
The first stop was at the Amankutan pastures in the Samarkand region. Restoration here is based on seasonal grazing rotation, careful selection of plant species, and strict control over livestock access. In the Bahri section, part of the Urgut forestry enterprise, where the forest covers about 700 hectares out of 1600, the typical regional problem was observed: overgrazing, grass thinning, and loss of the soil's ability to retain moisture. In arid zones, almonds and fodder grasses are planted, requiring minimal water, and some lands are closed for three to four years to restore vegetation.
Old methods are used in water collection areas: low earth embankments and terraces retain rainwater and meltwater near the roots of young plantings. Species selection is done individually for each plot—almond, acacia, elm, and other drought-resistant trees with deep root systems. Mobile apiaries demonstrate how land restoration generates income: bees pollinate grasses and shrubs, accelerating vegetation growth, and honey sales replenish the forestry enterprise's budget.
Haruna Abarchi, a herder from Niger and coordinator of the International Year of Pastures and Pastoralists in West and Central Africa, saw in the Uzbek hills a reflection of his native Sahel. He believes that it is important not to blindly copy, but to adapt effective practices, such as selecting plants for specific locations, which can be applied at home.
In Sarykurgan, Nurabad district, the focus is on pistachios—a tree that requires patience but yields fruit for decades. Pistachio plantations are planted on the worst lands—exhausted, with damaged vegetation cover, and affected by uncontrolled grazing. An ambitious plan envisions that by 2036, pistachios will cover 50,000 hectares of the district. Expansion is supported by the state, using drip irrigation and local labor.
The choice of pistachios is due to their ability to tolerate poor soil and extreme temperatures, as well as long-term fruiting. A social model has been developed: while the trees are growing, residents receive payment for preparing planting pits and caring for seedlings. After fruiting begins, plots of five hectares are leased to low-income families. The projected income from one plot is about 50,000 US dollars, with maintenance costs around 10,000 US dollars. Dividing 50,000 hectares into such plots will provide a basis for about 10,000 families.
The route descended to the banks of the Zarafshan River, where the Zarafshan National Park is located. The park preserves rare *tugai* forests—river forests of the arid zone, which are among the most valuable ecosystems of the drylands of Central Asia. Their contribution is subtle but indispensable: roots stabilize the banks, crowns mitigate wind erosion and cool the air, and thickets serve as shelter for animals, including the Bukhara deer.
The boundary between forest and steppe is palpable. Stepping beyond the line of trees leads to heat, dust, and bare earth, while stepping back brings shade, birdsong, and the dense greenery of the river corridor. Conservation efforts extend beyond the park: staff conduct lessons in neighboring schools, invite artists, and develop ecotourism in surrounding villages, because the forest will be preserved if local residents find a personal reason to protect it.
The Jizzakh region demonstrated another form of resilience through the Halophyte Garden in the Arnasay area. Halophytes are plants that are impervious to soil salinization or water scarcity. They are strategically important for Uzbekistan, as salinization, along with erosion and reduced productivity, is one of the main forms of land degradation in Central Asia, affecting a significant portion of irrigated lands.
The causes of salinization are varied: the very nature of agriculture in an arid climate, groundwater and mineral migration, poor drainage, and the legacy of large-scale irrigation, including a long dependence on water-intensive cotton. This garden, launched in spring 2026, functions as a living laboratory where salt-tolerant species are selected and propagated for conditions where ordinary crops cannot survive. Uzbek scientists have already described over 100 local species adapted to saline and arid landscapes, and a partnership with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the People's Republic of China has added dozens of varieties to the trials.
The last stop on the route in Uzbekistan was the Central Asian University of Ecological and Climate Studies in Tashkent, or the 'Green University.' After a week of fieldwork, it became clear that money alone is insufficient for land restoration; specialists who know how to do it are necessary. The university rector, Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov, stated that without a new generation of specialists capable of translating environmental challenges into financial strategies, even the most well-thought-out policy frameworks risk remaining only on paper.
From Uzbekistan, the Caravan continued its journey overland into Kazakhstan, where it encountered the blue color again—on the national flag and in the boundless steppe sky. During the journey, the expedition's signature color acquired a new meaning: in Central Asia, it became a symbol of water, resilience, and the fragile connections uniting people, pastures, and the landscapes of arid lands.
The international expedition titled 'The Marco Polo Drive of Peace,' which exclusively uses modern electric and hybrid vehicles, has officially entered the territory of Uzbekistan.
This large-scale project combines ideas of sustainable mobility and intercultural exchange while promoting the historical heritage of the ancient Silk Road. The total length of the journey is 15,000 kilometers, and the 43-day trans-Eurasian route started in Rome, Italy, with completion planned in Hong Kong. The inclusion of Uzbekistan as a key segment emphasizes the country's historical significance as a vital crossroads of ancient civilizations and a central hub of the Silk Road network.
During the stage in Uzbekistan, participants plan to visit cities such as Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, and Nukus. They will also pass through the Aral Sea region, the city of Muynak, and the Kyzylkum Desert. The detailed travel plan is designed to introduce travelers to the country's outstanding architectural monuments, deep national traditions, unique natural landscapes, and rapidly developing tourism infrastructure.
The international composition of participants adds further global resonance to the project. The team of drivers includes renowned scientists and experts on sustainable development, including the world-famous economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, as well as foreign media representatives who are documenting the trip to highlight Uzbekistan's vast tourism potential to a global audience.
It is expected that materials related to the trip, including reports and travelogues, will significantly improve the republic's international image, attracting the attention of new consumer markets and increasing the flow of foreign tourists. Furthermore, the expedition serves as a living practical demonstration of the feasibility of green ecotourism and long-distance travel on electric vehicles across multinational corridors. Organizers assert that the project proves Uzbekistan's significant readiness not only for traditional cultural and educational tourism but also for high-potential areas such as road trips, adventure tourism, and ecological expeditions. The implementation of such large international initiatives contributes to the global promotion of Uzbekistan's tourism brand, expands practical cooperation with foreign partners, and accelerates the development of new tourism products that meet the growing global demand for eco-friendly and thematic routes.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a set of proposals aimed at combating desertification, developing the economy in desert zones, and implementing the principles of creating a 'green city' in Uzbekistan.
Currently, climate change, water resource depletion, and land degradation are critical environmental problems for the entire Central Asian region, directly affecting food security and agriculture. Approximately 80% of Uzbekistan's territory consists of desert or semi-desert areas.
Salinization of soils, sand drifts, and strong dust storms pose a serious threat to the Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Navoi, Khorezm, as well as parts of Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Jizzakh regions. The situation has been exacerbated by the drying up of the Aral Sea, which has transformed into the Aralkum Desert.
Systematic planting of saxaul and other resilient species continues in the Aral Sea region. Over the past years, more than 2 million hectares of new forest plantations have been formed on the dried seabed. The 'Yashil Makon' project has demonstrated significant growth in greening across the country: from 8% in 2020 to 14.3% by 2025, thanks to the planting of over one billion seedlings.
The new phase of the strategy for the period 2026–2030 includes the creation and restoration of forests over an area of 1.27 million hectares, as well as the establishment of 16 thousand hectares of protective forest plantations in mountainous, foothill, and desert areas. Specifically, the planting of green cover is planned for 10 thousand hectares in the Surkhandarya region, and a 'green wall' of 84 kilometers will appear in the border areas of the Syrdarya region.
The head of state emphasized that desert lands should be viewed not only as an environmental problem but also as a potential source of economic growth. The 'desert economy' concept includes developing sustainable income sources on saline lands, cultivating halophytes, expanding livestock farming and ecotourism, and developing seed production of drought-resistant crops.
Specialized nurseries will be opened in Karakalpakstan, and pistachio plantations will be expanded in Babatag. Financing these measures will be provided by the regional seed bank and the attraction of private international investment.
The issue of strengthening environmental interaction in Central Asia was raised. Since land degradation does not recognize national borders, it was proposed to intensify the work of the Regional Scientific Research Center for Combating Desertification, increase the number of practical projects under the 'Green Shield' program, and jointly develop a strategy until 2040.
A key element of the presentation was the 'Green Samarkand' model. This metropolis, possessing historical significance and developed infrastructure, is slated to be transformed into a model of an ecologically sustainable and climate-adapted 'green city' of Central Asia.
By 2030, strict environmental goals are set for Samarkand: preventing the emission of 51.2 thousand tons of pollutants, reducing the concentration of hazardous particles PM2.5 and PM10 by 50% through the installation of filters on production facilities, reducing construction dust by 80%, and reducing harmful transport emissions by 50%. Additionally, the volume of waste in landfills must be halved, and the share of green areas must reach an average of 30%.
To monitor these large-scale processes, the 'Yashil Samarkand' project office is being established with the support of the regional hokimiyat and the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. A special ecological urban planning regime is being introduced in the city, obligating all new and reconstructed buildings to comply with 'green building' requirements, including the use of energy- and water-saving technologies.
Samarkand's transport policy includes purchasing 50 modern electric buses, installing 150 intelligent traffic lights, and fully transitioning all public transport and taxis to electric traction by 2030. The implementation of a 'Park & Ride' system and the gradual closure of the city center to private vehicles in favor of pedestrians and green spaces are planned.
To improve the microclimate in Samarkand, the creation of at least four artificial lakes, the construction of ten new fountains, and the restoration of 319 kilometers of irrigation networks are planned. Around the city, along the New Outer Ring Road, an extensive 'green belt' spanning 102.7 kilometers and covering 3532 hectares will be formed to provide protection against heat and dust.
In the field of urban planning, the construction of the ultra-modern 'Green City Samarkand' district, covering 300 hectares, is planned, where all infrastructure will meet high international ecological standards. Industrial enterprises will transition to digital monitoring and the 'Zero Visible Emission' concept, and eight largest factories of Hazard Categories I and II will be moved outside the city limits. The waste management system will be restructured according to the 'Zero Waste Samarkand' principle using smart photo- and video surveillance systems.
As part of the climate policy, the city will receive the 'Carbon Neutral Samarkand' roadmap and its own financial platform for climate projects, named the 'Green Samarkand Climate Finance Facility'. Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved all proposed measures, stating that their implementation will form the basis for transforming Samarkand into a leading regional center for green investments and innovation, and instructed responsible persons to begin practical work immediately.
