SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, September 25. Uzbekistan has prioritized climate resilience in the development of its transport sector, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriyev said at the panel session "Investing in Resilient Roads for a Better Tomorrow" within the framework of the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Trend reports.
"Our strategy focuses not only on mitigating the effects of climate change but also on adapting to them, ensuring that our roads, railways, and other transport modes can withstand climate challenges. A key component of our strategy is promoting electric vehicles and trains. By encouraging the adoption of electric transport, we aim to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower emissions, and contribute to global climate action," he explained.
According to Choriyev, the transport sector remains central to the country’s national strategy.
"Our country is undergoing significant transformations, with a growing population, expanding cities, and a diversifying economy. To support this growth, we are investing substantial resources in modernizing our domestic and international transport networks to meet 21st-century demands," he noted.
Choriyev mentioned that, in collaboration with the AIIB, Uzbekistan has begun implementing transformative projects that are reshaping the country’s transport landscape.
"Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events pose significant risks to our transport infrastructure. We must enhance the resilience of our roads, bridges, railways, and airports to ensure they can withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate. Our commitment to creating climate-resilient infrastructure is reflected in our low-carbon strategy, which outlines our approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the resilience of our infrastructure. However, the transition to electrification also requires a reliable and resilient transport infrastructure capable of supporting this technology, including building charging stations, power lines, and integrating smart grid technologies while adapting our road networks to the unique needs of electric transport," he added.
To note, the AIIB is hosting its first annual meeting of the Board of Governors in Central Asia on the theme "Building Resilient Infrastructure for All" on September 25-26, 2024, in Samarkand.
Over two days, more than 25 panel discussions will take place, focusing on innovations in infrastructure financing, climate resilience, sustainable development, and the digital transformation of infrastructure projects.