Uzbekistan Renews ICBA’s Tashkent Office Accreditation Through 2029
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, 27 August 2026 — The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) has strengthened its engagement in Central Asia after Uzbekistan renewed the accreditation of the Center’s Regional Office in Tashkent through 2029.
The announcement was made during the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), hosted by Mongolia under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.”
ICBA participated in COP17 as part of Uzbekistan’s delegation and through the country’s national pavilion, highlighting its work in land restoration, drought resilience, sustainable agriculture, and food and water security.
ICBA Director General Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi said the renewal reflects Uzbekistan’s confidence in the Center’s scientific and innovation mandate and provides an opportunity to further expand practical solutions for arid and saline environments.
“Turning ambition into tangible impact requires science-based policies, finance and investment directed towards scalable solutions, and partnerships capable of connecting knowledge with implementation,” Alzaabi said.
She added that ICBA would continue working with partners to translate research and innovation into practical solutions while mobilizing investment to expand their impact across the region.
Financing Land Restoration
During Finance Day at COP17, ICBA hosted a high-level dialogue titled “From Investment to Impact: Financing the Restoration of Degraded Lands for Food Security, Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods” at the Uzbekistan Pavilion.
The discussion brought together senior representatives from several countries to explore how research, innovation and investment can be better connected to national priorities and scaled into sustainable solutions.
Uzbekistan’s Advisor to the President on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov, joined the dialogue as Guest of Honour and emphasized the importance of investment in achieving national environmental and development priorities.
Professor Bakhtiyor Pulatov, Rector of the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies, highlighted the role of research and innovation, including the AquaBio Lab, developed through cooperation between Green University and ICBA.
Dr. Marguba Rejapova, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with ICBA’s Central Asia and the Caucasus Program, emphasized the importance of strengthening national capacities and engaging local stakeholders through international projects.
Supporting Farmers in Karakalpakstan
ICBA’s partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) provides a practical example of how investment can support sustainable agricultural development.
Through the ADFD-funded project “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan,” ICBA and its Uzbek partners are developing agricultural systems adapted to drought and salinity while supporting local communities.
More than 1,500 farmers across seven districts have benefited from the project.
In 2026, the initiative expanded through the Farmers’ and Agro-Entrepreneurs Accelerator, designed to help move successful solutions beyond field trials and into wider applications, including stronger production systems, value chains and market access.
Stronger Regional Cooperation
The renewal of ICBA’s Tashkent accreditation is expected to provide a stronger foundation for cooperation with Uzbekistan and other countries across Central Asia.
During COP17, Alzaabi met with Abdukhakimov to discuss the further development of ICBA’s work in Uzbekistan and opportunities for future collaboration.
ICBA’s engagement also extended to urban land management and climate resilience. At the COP17 Mayors’ Forum, Alzaabi participated in a session on “Regenerating Urban Ecosystems: Combating Land Degradation, Dust, and Sandstorms,” sharing ICBA’s experience in arid environments and nature-based solutions.
The forum concluded with the adoption of the Ulaanbaatar Declaration, which calls for greater involvement of cities and local governments in sustainable land management and drought resilience. It also launched the Ulaanbaatar Initiative, a voluntary effort to develop mechanisms for measuring and reporting land degradation at city level.
Focus on Water and Drought Resilience
During Water Day, ICBA contributed to a high-level discussion on transforming agricultural water management for drought resilience and food security.
The session brought together policymakers, experts and international organizations to examine ways of improving agricultural water management and strengthening food systems against increasing drought risks.
In her closing remarks, Alzaabi stressed the need to connect policy, science, investment and implementation, while highlighting the importance of addressing water quality and salinity in agricultural planning.
ICBA’s participation at COP17 demonstrated its growing role in connecting scientific research with policy and investment to develop practical solutions for some of the most pressing challenges facing dryland regions.
With Uzbekistan’s accreditation of its Tashkent Regional Office now extended through 2029, ICBA is positioned to deepen its contribution to sustainable agriculture, land restoration, water management and climate resilience across Central Asia.
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