In an exclusive interview with Trend News Agency, a leading outlet covering news from Central Asia, AIIB President Jin Liqun discusses the bank's crucial role in promoting sustainable development and climate resilience across the region.
SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, September 30. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) remains committed to improving infrastructure and connectivity across Central Asia, while integrating climate resilience into its investments, AIIB President Jin Liqun told Trend in an exclusive interview.
Speaking on the sidelines of the AIIB Annual Meeting in Samarkand, President Jin Liqun highlighted the bank’s ongoing efforts to finance renewable energy projects, strengthen regional connectivity, and address climate challenges.
"Connectivity, particularly cross-border connectivity, is one of the most important areas of our financing. But we must remember that connectivity projects and climate financing are interconnected. By financing road, railway, or metro projects, we can make transportation more efficient and reduce emissions," he said.
"Central Asian countries, from the very beginning, have shown a strong interest in participating in the development of the AIIB," President Jin continued. "Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan have all been active in shaping this important financial institution. Their involvement is key as we work to promote sustained development, transition to net zero, and improve the livelihood of people across the region".
AIIB President emphasized Uzbekistan’s leading role in the bank’s operations, noting the country’s significant portfolio within the AIIB. "In January of this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited AIIB headquarters in Beijing to discuss further cooperation. Uzbekistan is one of our most active members in Central Asia. We have already approved 15 projects totaling $3.1 billion, with a substantial pipeline ahead," he said.
Additionally, President Jin underscored AIIB’s focus on infrastructure and connectivity projects in Uzbekistan, particularly in Bukhara. "Here in Uzbekistan, we financed the road project in Bukhara, and I believe in the future we are also looking at investing in connectivity projects within the country and connecting to neighboring countries," he remarked.
He also touched on the importance of climate action in the region, especially in light of the upcoming COP29 conference. "We are focused on promoting green, renewable energy projects. For instance, the board of members and management visited a solar power plant that occupies 440 hectares of land. The project will provide green, renewable electricity to 265,000 households. We will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 270,000 tons every year. It is an excellent project, and we plan to do more in this regard".
Looking ahead to COP29 in Azerbaijan, President Jin underscored the global importance of collaboration in tackling climate change.
"We were involved in COP27, COP28 and we will also participate in COP29. The idea is to exchange ideas with other MDBs, partners, and various sovereign government delegations. It is very important to remember that climate change is a global challenge, clearly a danger facing humanity. Only by working together can we hope to limit global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius. We attach great importance to COP27, COP28, and the upcoming COP29, and we have developed very close cooperation with all stakeholders in this area. Some delegations will be coming from AIIB to Azerbaijan for this purpose," he concluded.
