Leaders of island nations have been warning for decades that the climate crisis and the state of the ocean are inextricably linked. However, leaders of larger and wealthier countries, which are relatively protected from sea-level rise and other marine consequences of climate change, often ignore these warnings.
Angelique Puponne, the lead ocean negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) from the Seychelles, coordinates the positions of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries in international negotiations on oceans, biodiversity, and climate.
In a recent interview with Dialogue Earth, Puponne stated that actions in the field of oceans and climate cannot be separated from the need for significant emissions reductions. She criticized countries that claim concern for the ocean while continuing to increase fossil fuel use and failing to meet commitments to provide climate finance.
When asked what significant action should be taken in the field of oceans and climate from small island states by 2026, Angelique Puponne noted that it is a complex period. While she highly appreciated the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated at the Mombasa Ocean Conference, she stressed that this must be accompanied by real action.
She expressed dissatisfaction with the hypocrisy of countries that profess love for the ocean but refuse to implement deep emission cuts. In her view, it is impossible to love the ocean without controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, some of these countries refuse to reduce emissions and are unwilling to provide funding to Africa and small developing island states needed to implement ocean and climate actions or maintain a healthy ocean.
Many negotiators from vulnerable countries note that climate diplomacy has become more difficult in recent years. When asked how small island states and Global South countries are responding to this situation, Puponne suggested that for a long time they relied too heavily on the United States as the pace-setter. However, since they constitute the global majority, they should use this strength and demand that Europe take the right side of history.
She added that hypocrisy has existed for a long time, but it has worsened, especially in light of resource reallocation towards military spending. Citing the frequently quoted phrase that preparation for war is necessary for peace, Puponne stated: "I think we need to say that to avoid war, we need to invest in climate solutions. We need to invest in peacebuilding instead of directing limited resources toward what can be seen as an arms race."
The nationwide project 'My Garden' (Mening Bog'im) continues to be implemented in Uzbekistan, aiming to create modern green public areas based on citizen initiatives. This project unites the efforts of the state, local authorities, the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, forestry services, and residents, contributing to the formation of a comfortable urban environment, improving the quality of life, and adapting settlements to the consequences of climate change.
A key feature of the project is the active participation of the public. Residents submit proposals for the creation of new green zones, which are then put to a public vote on the 'Open Budget' portal. Projects that receive the most support receive funding, and their implementation is carried out by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change together with relevant agencies.
The scale of the project expands annually. In 2024, 789 initiatives were submitted to the 'Open Budget' portal, of which 212 projects became winners after voting. 140.1 hectares of land were allocated for their implementation, resulting in the appearance of 128 green gardens and 84 public parks.
In 2025, residents proposed 570 projects, from which 174 initiatives were selected. After assessing the locations, 18 projects were rejected due to non-compliance with established requirements. As a result, 89 green gardens and 67 public parks were created on an area of 104.9 hectares according to approved design and estimate documentation.
Work continues in 2026. The Council of Ministers of the Karakalpakstan Republic, together with the hokimiyats of regional and city administrations of Tashkent, prepared 610 proposals for the creation of new green zones. More than 152,000 citizens participated in the vote, with 97,400 supporting the winning projects. After selecting 208 initiatives, they received funding, guaranteeing at least one project in every region and city of the country. A total of 52 billion Uzbek soms has been allocated for the implementation of these projects.
Currently, the 'My Garden' project is being implemented in all regions of Uzbekistan. In the Surkhandarya region, in the Angor district, one of the region's largest green zones is being created on the territory of 'Korakir'. 270,000 ornamental trees are being planted on an area of 108 hectares to improve the ecological situation, combat desertification, and form a new green landscape.
In the Khorezm region, near the 'Arda Khiva' complex, a modern park of 9 hectares is being formed, where more than 4,000 ornamental trees have already been planted. Upon completion, it will become one of the largest recreational areas of historical Khiva.
In Samarkand region, a 'Green Garden' of 2 hectares has been created in the Olmazor mahalla of the Bulungur district, where more than 1,200 ornamental trees adapted to the local climate have been planted. The installation of lighting, benches, and other landscaping elements is nearing completion. Meanwhile, a new public park with pavilions, pedestrian paths, and comprehensive greenery has opened in the Akdaryo district.
Several large projects are being implemented simultaneously in the Jizzakh region. In the Yangiobod mahalla of the Sharaf Rashidov district, a public park of 10 hectares is being developed, where 2,500 ornamental and fruit trees have currently been planted. In the city of Jizzakh itself, construction of a new park of 13.6 hectares is underway, featuring over 4,800 planted trees and shrubs, including Crimean and Eldar pines, oak, ash, maple, chestnut, birch, elm, and catalpa. In the 'New Uzbekistan' massif of the Sharaf Rashidov district, a public park of 28 hectares and a protective green belt using terracing have been created, where 11,270 trees have been planted and a modern drip irrigation system installed.
The creation of new public gardens and the improvement of existing green areas continue in the Navoi region, with environmental protection services ensuring constant care for young plantings.
Additional contributions come from other environmental campaigns: a 'Tax Inspectors' Garden' of 10,000 trees has been created in Jizzakh, and an initiative dedicated to the 80th anniversary of UNESCO under the slogan '80,000 Trees' has led to the planting of 6,500 seedlings in the Sharaf Rashidov district alone.
In the Fergana region, a green belt with over 100,000 ornamental trees has been formed around the Karkidon reservoir, and a protective forest strip spanning 7.1 kilometers has been laid along the access road.
The creation of green zones includes not only tree planting but also the organization of long-term professional care, with a special focus on summer watering and agrotechnical measures. Cooperation between the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and the International Fund 'Zamin' provides an additional impetus to development. Within the 'Yashil Zamin' project, active since 2022, thousands of trees and shrubs were planted this spring in Tashkent, Akhangaran, and Yangihoyod districts.
Only in the Yangihoyod district were over 2,000 plane trees, oaks, ashes, myrtle, and Sharon rose bushes planted on an area of 2 hectares, increasing the total number of plantings in this district to 18,790 on an area of 25.6 hectares.
Greening was also promoted along the Burzar canal embankment in the Chilanzar and Yakkasaray districts of Tashkent, as well as in Akhangaran, covering 4.5 hectares with over 5,000 trees during the spring campaign.
In 2026, seven joint environmental projects with the Zamin Fund are planned, including the creation of the youth eco-park 'Yoshlar Eco Bog'i' of 9.26 hectares in Khiva (where 3,082 trees and over 2,000 shrubs are already present) and the comprehensive reconstruction of a 22.6-hectare park in Angren, which will be equipped with walking alleys, modern lighting, picnic areas, an artificial pond, and an automated irrigation system.
The 'My Garden' project has become one of Uzbekistan's largest public environmental initiatives. By giving citizens the opportunity to vote on local projects, it increases green coverage while simultaneously fostering a culture of environmental care oriented towards creating sustainable and viable cities.
The Governor of the Tashkent Region, Zoyir Mirzaev, inspected the improvement and construction works being carried out along railway lines in the Zangiota and Yangiyul districts, as well as in the city of Yangiyul itself.
He was accompanied during the inspection by heads of local, city, and district administrations of the region, representatives of relevant departments and organizations, members of neighborhood councils, and public activists.
Issues discussed included transforming quarters and streets located along the railway into model zones; bringing building facades into compliance with modern architectural requirements; eliminating illegal constructions; improving sanitary and hygienic conditions; expanding greenery; and effectively organizing mass events with public participation.
The head of the region personally walked along the railway lines to observe the current situation. Specific instructions and recommendations were given to the leaders regarding the work that needs to be carried out, taking into account the unique characteristics of each territory.
In particular, priority tasks were identified as maintaining cleanliness along the railway lines, forming facades in a unified architectural style, increasing the area of green zones, and creating a comfortable and safe environment for residents.
Additionally, an area where a modern pedestrian crossing is planned to replace a railway intersection causing traffic inconvenience in the S. Rakhimov – Urtaovol stations area in the Zangiota district was inspected. This project aims to ensure the continuity of traffic flow, reduce congestion, and increase safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
During the observations, the leaders were issued appropriate directives regarding the necessity of high-quality and timely completion of the assigned tasks, as well as a radical renewal of the appearance of the railway lines and the transformation of territories into well-maintained and model settlements.
During the 'Month of Beautification and Charity,' which began on July 17, EcoPolice employees and the environmental control service discovered nearly 350 cases of violation of environmental protection legislation across the country.
The majority of the identified violations concerned unauthorized waste disposal. According to information from the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, 285 such incidents were registered during the month-long period, against which administrative measures were applied.
In addition to waste issues, cases of illegal logging and damage to vegetation continue to be recorded. Since the start of the month, 62 such instances have been documented. Violators have been held accountable under Article 79 of the Code of Administrative Liability and are obliged to compensate for the damage caused to nature.
On August 3 alone, inspectors recorded additional violations in several regions: Karakalpakstan, as well as Navoi, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Tashkent, and Khorezm regions, including Tashkent. On the same day, five more violations were found in Bukhara, Samarkand, Syrdarya, and Tashkent regions, as well as in the capital.
Previously, in the capital and Tashkent region, inspectors recorded 48 violations of environmental protection legislation, most of which were also related to the illegal dumping of construction waste and tree felling.
The Committee emphasized that the legislation provides for liability for environmental pollution and illegal logging, and control measures are being conducted throughout the country.
