Photo credit: ICBA.
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) participated in the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Mongolia under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”
ICBA participated as part of Uzbekistan’s delegation and at the country’s national pavilion, highlighting efforts to connect science, policy, investment and implementation to address land degradation, drought resilience, food security and water security.
The conference also included an announcement that the Republic of Uzbekistan renewed the accreditation of ICBA’s Regional Office in Tashkent through 2029.
Financing Land Restoration
During Finance Day, ICBA organized a high-level dialogue at the Uzbekistan Pavilion titled “From Investment to Impact: Financing the Restoration of Degraded Lands for Food Security, Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods.”
The discussion brought together senior representatives from several countries to examine ways to connect national priorities with research, innovation and investment. Participants also considered pathways for scaling successful solutions and translating them into sustainable impacts.
Aziz Abdukhakimov, adviser to the president of Uzbekistan on environmental issues and chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, participated as guest of honor and highlighted the role of investment in advancing national priorities.
Bakhtiyor Pulatov, rector of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies, highlighted scientific research and innovation, including the work of AquaBio Lab as a platform for research, innovation and technological development under cooperation between Green University and ICBA.
Marguba Rejapova, a postdoctoral research fellow with ICBA’s Central Asia and the Caucasus Program, addressed the importance of strengthening national capacity and engaging stakeholders through international projects.
Supporting Farmers in Uzbekistan
Cooperation between ICBA and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development provides an example of how investment can support agricultural development in degraded areas.
Through an ADFD-funded project focused on developing sustainable agricultural production systems in degraded areas of Karakalpakstan, ICBA and its partners in Uzbekistan are developing systems adapted to drought and salinity while supporting local communities.
More than 1,500 farmers across seven districts have benefited from project activities. The initiative expanded in 2026 through the Farmers’ and Agro-Entrepreneurs Accelerator, which supports the transition of solutions from field trials to broader applications involving agricultural production, value chains and market access.
Regional Office Accreditation Renewed
During ICBA’s participation at the Uzbekistan Pavilion, Abdukhakimov announced that Uzbekistan had renewed the accreditation of ICBA’s Regional Office in Tashkent through 2029.
The renewal reflects Uzbekistan’s continued recognition of ICBA’s scientific and innovation contributions across Central Asia. ICBA Director General Tarifa Alzaabi also met with Abdukhakimov to discuss further work in Uzbekistan and opportunities for future cooperation.
ICBA also participated in the COP17 Mayors’ Forum in a session focused on regenerating urban ecosystems and combating land degradation, dust and sandstorms. The session highlighted ICBA’s expertise in arid environments and nature-based solutions.
The forum concluded with adoption of the Ulaanbaatar Declaration, which calls for a stronger role for cities and local governments in sustainable land management and drought resilience. The forum also launched the Ulaanbaatar Initiative, a voluntary effort to test mechanisms for measuring and reporting land degradation at the city level. Results are expected to be presented at COP18.
Focus on Water Management
During Water Day, ICBA participated in a high-level event focused on transforming agricultural water management for drought resilience and food security.
The event brought together policymakers, experts and international organizations to examine approaches to strengthening agricultural water management and improving the resilience of food systems to drought.
Alzaabi delivered closing remarks emphasizing the importance of connecting policy with science, investment and implementation. She also highlighted the need to give greater consideration to water quality and salinity in agricultural planning, particularly in arid and saline environments.
ICBA's participation at COP17 underscored its efforts to connect scientific research with policy, investment and partnerships while translating research and innovation into practical solutions for land restoration, sustainable water management, food security and resilience in arid and saline agricultural environments.
Source: International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, "ICBA Puts Science, Investment and Regional Partnerships at the Heart of its COP17 Participation"