LocationsMore Than a Showcase: What Eco Expo and the Eighth GEF Assembly Meant for UNDP in Uzbekistan
July 2, 2026
For one week in June, Samarkand became the centre of global environmental dialogue. Governments, scientists, development partners, civil society organizations and communities gathered for Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 and the Eighth GEF Assembly to discuss some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges - from biodiversity loss and climate change to pollution, land degradation and water security.
For UNDP Uzbekistan, however, it became a unique opportunity to bring together years of work across different environmental programmes and demonstrate how seemingly separate initiatives contribute to one larger goal: helping people and nature thrive together.
Looking back at the week, several themes emerge.
Environmental challenges require partnerships that cross borders and sectors
Throughout the Assembly, discussions repeatedly returned to one idea: environmental challenges do not stop at national borders, and neither should the solutions.
This was reflected in conversations on transboundary biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity during the regional biodiversity side event where five Central Asian countries signed the Expression of Interest to advance coordinated regional efforts for the sustainable management of mountain ecosystems in Central Asia; as well as in the interagency agreement on integrated water resources management in the Lower Amu Darya which will enable the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture to do the planning and decision-making guided by the natural boundaries of water systems, hydrological realities, ecosystem needs and the interconnected interests of upstream and downstream users. Cooperation with the Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and a dialogue around restoring degraded landscapes demonstrated that effective environmental action increasingly depends on collaboration between countries, institutions and communities.
While each initiative focused on different environmental issues, together they illustrated a broader shift towards integrated regional approaches.
Environmental protection today extends far beyond conservation
The week also highlighted how environmental action is evolving beyond traditional conservation.
Recognizing that persistent organic pollutants are among the most hazardous chemicals -remaining in ecosystems for decades, accumulating in food chains, and posing serious risks to human health, biodiversity and sustainable development - a statement of intent was signed to strengthen the sound management of chemicals and waste and advance the implementation of the Stockholm Convention.
At the same time, sustainable finance is becoming part of the next generation of environmental leadership. For the first time, an academic module based on UNDP’s BIOFIN methodology has been integrated into the curriculum of a Master’s programme in Sustainable Finance.
Since its launch in 2008, the GEF Small Grants Programme has shown that some of the most effective environmental solutions begin at the community level, supporting more than 100 locally driven initiatives across Uzbekistan. It was therefore encouraging to see that community-driven innovation will continue to receive support through the new phase of the Small Grants Programme, while efforts to identify practical solutions for ecosystem restoration and resilience-building continue to expand.
Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate that environmental sustainability today depends not only on protecting ecosystems, but also on stronger institutions, better governance, innovative financing, education, local capacity, and empowered communities.
Communities remain at the centre of environmental action
Although many discussions focused on policy and international cooperation, the people behind these initiatives remained central.
The field trip to the Visit Center of Gissar State Nature Reserve demonstrated how investments are delivering tangible improvements on the ground and how greater knowledge of the biodiversity surrounding local communities is helping people live in better harmony with nature. After all, understanding nature is one of the most powerful tools for protecting it.
Side events also highlighted community-led restoration, locally driven green solutions, sustainable livelihoods, and the vital role of young people and future environmental professionals in shaping a more sustainable future.
Whether discussing biodiversity, water governance, chemicals management or climate resilience, one message remained consistent: environmental action succeeds when it improves the lives and livelihoods of the people who depend on healthy ecosystems every day.
A platform to reflect on three decades of partnership
Perhaps most importantly, the Eighth GEF Assembly provided an opportunity to reflect on how the partnership between Uzbekistan, the Global Environment Facility and UNDP has evolved over the past three decades.
What began as support for medium environmental initiatives has grown into a broad partnership spanning biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, land restoration, sustainable water management, pollution prevention, green finance, community development and institutional strengthening.
The week in Samarkand brought these different strands together. Through five partnership agreements, numerous side events, strategic meetings, technical discussions, networking sessions and a field visit, participants were able to see not only individual projects, but the connections between them.
Looking ahead
The most important takeaway was not the number of meetings held or agreements signed. Rather, it was the opportunity to demonstrate how environmental action is becoming increasingly interconnected.
Eco Expo and the Eighth GEF Assembly showed that protecting biodiversity also requires sustainable finance. Restoring landscapes depends on regional cooperation. Managing water demands stronger institutions. Supporting communities strengthens resilience. Each initiative presented during the week represented one piece of a much larger picture.
For UNDP Uzbekistan, that may have been the greatest value of the Assembly: not simply showcasing projects but illustrating how partnerships built over decades continue to connect people, policy, finance and nature in pursuit of sustainable development.
