Uzbekistan has joined the first group of participants in the international Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) initiative, aimed at transforming climate plans into concrete projects with the potential to attract foreign funding. The program's launch was announced on September 24, 2026, in New York during Climate Week. The initiative operates with the participation of the UN Development Program under the auspices of the COP31 presidency. Along with Uzbekistan, the pilot group includes Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
Within the framework of the program, international experts, together with national specialists, will study Uzbekistan's current climate measures, identify priority areas, and assess opportunities for attracting investments. Based on this work, a roadmap is planned to be developed that will combine national goals with specific projects and international support mechanisms. Participation in BRIDGE is linked to the country's updated climate commitments: according to the third version of the nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0), Uzbekistan intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 50% by 2035 relative to the 2010 level.
Key areas of work include renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, rational water use, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and adaptation to climate change. The next steps for the country's participation in the program were discussed on October 8 at an online meeting of the National Climate Change Center with representatives from Turkey. It is expected that the initiative will help identify projects most ready for practical implementation and attracting international funds.