Uzbekistan has joined the first group of five countries participating in the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE). This international initiative is designed to develop climate projects and attract external financing.
The announcement of this initiative was made in New York on September 24, 2026, during Climate Week. The project is being implemented under the auspices of the COP31 presidency with the participation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Other countries in the pilot group include Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The goal of BRIDGE is to assist participating states in transitioning from planning climate measures to their practical implementation and the realization of investment projects.
The initiative provides expert support for determining priorities, preparing projects, and finding opportunities for securing international funding. In the initial phase, international specialists will work with national experts to assess Uzbekistan's existing climate programs and identify areas with the greatest potential for investment and implementation.
This assessment is expected to lead to the creation of a roadmap that links national climate priorities with specific projects and opportunities for international support.
Uzbekistan's participation is linked to the implementation of updated national climate goals. According to the third version of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 50% by 2035 compared to 2010 levels.
BRIDGE will pay special attention to renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water resource use, sustainable agriculture, improved waste management, and climate change adaptation.
On October 8, 2026, the National Center for Climate Change of Uzbekistan held an online meeting with representatives from the Turkish side to discuss the next steps of the country's participation in this initiative.
Furthermore, BRIDGE is seen as an opportunity to expand Uzbekistan's cooperation with international partners, attract investment, and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. The initiative is being implemented ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP31), scheduled for November 2026 in Antalya, Turkey.