UN Development Programme (UNDP) jointly with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has conducted an initial discussion on “Involvement of Youth in Combatting Climate Change” for those who signed up for a new online course on "Climate Change Negotiations and COP 26 outcomes" developed within this project.

The initial cohort piloting the online course are mostly students from the International Digital University (IDU) and TEAM University. During the event they learned about the issues related to climate change and opportunities for youth involvement at the national and regional (Central Asian) level to contribute to climate action.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

Rano Baykhanova, UNDP Programme Analyst on Climate Change, has briefed the participants on the nationally determined contributions (NDC2) to greenhouse gases emission reductions commitments of the Republic of Uzbekistan under the ratified Paris Agreement on climate and announced at the recent 26^th Conference of Parties (COP26) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow in November 2021. She emphasized that Uzbekistan has increased its commitments aiming at reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 (vs 10% committed earlier). Involvement of youth and raising their awareness about climate change impacts are of paramount importance for the national commitments’ implementation. It is well known that due to its geographical position, Uzbekistan is very vulnerable to climate change impacts and is exposed to increasing climate aridity, more frequent drought, changing patterns of precipitations and water stress as well as faces more frequent extreme weather events (dust and salt storms, strong winds, heavy rains, landslides, etc.) This all affect sustainable economic and social development of the country.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

The project experts provided detailed information on learning and engagement opportunities available to students within the framework of the project. A tailored online learning programme has been developed for the young women and men to get better understanding of the matters related to climate change in Uzbekistan. The course is available to all interested ones based on registration during the pilot period. Those interested can sign up for the course at the link: https://forms.gle/Sc8Xrid6tyrVpXTP6 . 

The participants shared their feedback on the event, and Alisher Jumanazarov, an IDU Faculty Officer, noted that “Climate change related problems are of great interest, and many students would like to be engaged in the provided learning opportunity. Events like this and programmes offered are some of the most appreciated undertakings that allow students to start building their networks and engaging with the climate change matters and finding solutions”.

The initial cohort of more than 25 students increased their knowledge about UNDP’s activities focused on climate education and raising awareness about the COP26 outcomes and Paris Agreement. Moreover, during the event the youth focused actions planned within the framework of the UNDP/FCDO project “Policy action for climate security in Central Asia Phase II”/under the Joint Programme UNDP/UNFPA “Unleashing young people’s and vulnerable citizens’ creativity and innovation by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the economic and food insecurities in the exposed communities of the Aral Sea region” have been advertised and discussed. It is anticipated that after the piloting online course it will be refined and made publicly accessible for all to increase climate change related knowledge and to being actively involved in climate action in Uzbekistan. 

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan